Genus
Cicindelidia
132 species
*Cicindelidia* Rivalier, 1954 is a metallic, nocturnal tiger beetle genus of roughly 60 species ranging from the United States and Mexico south through Central America. These small to medium beetles (8–18 mm) favour open wet habitats including riparian clay banks and sandy-clay substrates. Greatest diversity occurs in Mexico.
Diagnosis
DIAGNOSIS — *Cicindelidia* Rivalier, 1954. Body 8–15 mm, elongate, metallic, fully winged, nocturnal. Separated from *Cicindela* and *Ellipsoptera* by aedeagal characters [Rivalier, 1954].
Etymology
Diminutive of Cicindela — "small Cicindela"; coined by Rivalier 1954.
Species (132)
Distribution map — GBIF occurrences
GBIF · © OpenStreetMap · © CartoDB
Overview
*Cicindelidia* Rivalier, 1954 is a metallic, nocturnal tiger beetle genus of roughly 60 species ranging from the United States and Mexico south through Central America. These small to medium beetles (8–18 mm) favour open wet habitats including riparian clay banks and sandy-clay substrates. Greatest diversity occurs in Mexico.
Type species: Cicindela trifasciata Fabricius, 1781 [by original designation (Rivalier 1954)]
1. Wiesner, J. (2020) — checklist 2. Rivalier, E. (1954) — original genus description 3. Pearson, D.L. et al. (2015) — Field Guide USA & Canada — primary modern treatment 4. Knisley, C.B., Kippenhan, M.G. & Brzoska, D. (2014) — Conservation status of United States tiger beetles. Terrestrial Arthropod Reviews 7(2-4): 93-145. 5. Bousquet, Y. (2012) — Catalogue of Geadephaga (Coleoptera, Adephaga) of America, north of Mexico. ZooKeys 245: 1-1722. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.245.3416 [comprehensive Nearctic catalogue including Cicindelidae] 6. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (2016) — Endangered Species Status for the Miami Tiger Beetle (Cicindelidia floridana). 81 FR 68985. [Federal Endangered listing 2016; critical habitat designated 2023, 88 FR 33340] 7. Duran, D.P. & Roman, S.J. (2015) — A new species of tiger beetle, Cicindelidia melissa Duran & Roman, sp. n., from southeastern Arizona and Mexico. ZooKeys 470: 47-60. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.470.8762 8. Duran, D.P. & Gough, H.M. (2020) — Validation of tiger beetles as distinct family (Cicindelidae) and reclassification within Coleoptera. Systematic Entomology 45(4): 723-729. DOI: 10.1111/syen.12440 [validates Cicindelidae as separate family] 9. Gough, H.M., Duran, D.P., Kawahara, A.Y. & Toussaint, E.F.A. (2018) — A comprehensive molecular phylogeny of tiger beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Cicindelinae). Systematic Entomology 43(3): 567-586. DOI: 10.1111/syen.12324 [ML phylogeny of 328 taxa, 9 gene regions] +13 citations · full list in paid edition
Living Book · World Monograph 2026
Genera and Subgenera of Tiger Beetles
240 genera · 3,715 taxa · 194-character matrix · 12 months free updates