Genus
Diastrophella
1 species
*Diastrophella* is a small, elongate Afrotropical genus of tiger beetles in subtribe Iresina, known from the island of La Réunion. Adults are nocturnal inhabitants of bark, with larvae developing in burrows within bark. This compact, metallic genus represents one of the more enigmatic Iresine lineages of the African region.
Diagnosis
DIAGNOSIS — *Diastrophella* Rivalier, 1957. Body small, 10–15 mm, elongate-compact, metallic. Eyes moderate. Labrum transverse. Wings fully developed. Arboreal bark-dweller; larvae in bark burrows. Nocturnal. Afrotropical (La Réunion). Subtribe Iresina. Separated from other Iresina by aedeagal morphology. No confusion genera recorded.
Etymology
From Greek *diastrophē* (twisting, distortion) + -ella diminutive — referring to twisted/distorted characters.
Species (1)
Distribution map — GBIF occurrences
GBIF · © OpenStreetMap · © CartoDB
Overview
*Diastrophella* is a small, elongate Afrotropical genus of tiger beetles in subtribe Iresina, known from the island of La Réunion. Adults are nocturnal inhabitants of bark, with larvae developing in burrows within bark. This compact, metallic genus represents one of the more enigmatic Iresine lineages of the African region.
Type species: Diastrophella bukobensis W. Horn, 1922 [by monotypy]
1. Wiesner, J. (2020) — checklist 2. Sumlin, W.D. (1981) — original genus description 3. Moravec, J. (2020) — Cicindelini Vol. 2 4. Pearson, D.L. & Vogler, A.P. (2001) — Tiger Beetles: The Evolution, Ecology, and Diversity of the Cicindelids. Cornell Univ. Press, Ithaca, 333 pp. [ISBN 0-8014-3882-9] 5. 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] 6. 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] 7. Wiesner, J. (2020) — Checklist of the Tiger Beetles of the World, 2nd edition (Verzeichnis der Sandlaufkäfer der Welt, 27. Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Cicindelidae). Winterwork, Borsdorf, 534 pp. [Authoritative current world checklist] 8. Horn, W. (1908-1915) — Coleoptera Adephaga, fam. Carabidae, subfam. Cicindelinae. In: Wytsman, P. (Ed.) Genera Insectorum, fascicles 82a, 82b, 82c (1908, 1910, 1915). L. Desmet-Verteneuil, Bruxelles. BHL bibliography/45481 [open access — fundamental historical monograph for the family] 9. Cassola, F. (1971-2010) — Studies on Tiger Beetles (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae) — numbered series of papers (over 120 contributions) published primarily in Bollettino della Società Entomologica Italiana, Fragmenta Entomologica, Lambillionea, Coleopterists Bulletin, Quaderni del Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and Biota Colombiana. Provides taxonomic descriptions, regional faunal lists, and cytotaxonomic studies covering Afrotropical, Oriental, and Neotropical regions. +2 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