Genus
Pseudodromica
25 species
*Pseudodromica* is a genus of large, metallic tiger beetles patrolling the compacted laterite paths and clay pans of African woodlands under the open African sun. Cassola described the genus in 2002, and it currently encompasses 20 species distributed across the Afrotropical region. These diurnal hunters are recognisable by their oval bodies, which can reach impressive dimensions within the tribe Cicindelini. Their preferred substrates — baked clay pans and compacted laterite soils — reflect a specialisation for harsh, open microhabitats where few competitors venture.
Diagnosis
DIAGNOSIS — *Pseudodromica* Cassola, 2002. Body large, 8–30 mm; shape oval; L:W ratio 2–3. Coloration strongly metallic. Eyes large. Labrum transverse. Wings dimorphic. Activity diurnal. Substrate: compacted laterite, clay pans, dry clay (Afrotropical). Larval character state C05 glabrous (fifth segment lacking setae): key diagnostic feature. Distinguished from *Dromica* by combination of adult habitus and larval glabrous fifth character; subgeneric boundary formalised by Cassola (2002). Restricted to Afrotropical region; 20 species.
Etymology
From Greek *pseudḗs* + Dromica — "false Dromica".
Species (25)
Distribution map — GBIF occurrences
GBIF · © OpenStreetMap · © CartoDB
Overview
*Pseudodromica* is a genus of large, metallic tiger beetles patrolling the compacted laterite paths and clay pans of African woodlands under the open African sun. Cassola described the genus in 2002, and it currently encompasses 20 species distributed across the Afrotropical region. These diurnal hunters are recognisable by their oval bodies, which can reach impressive dimensions within the tribe Cicindelini. Their preferred substrates — baked clay pans and compacted laterite soils — reflect a specialisation for harsh, open microhabitats where few competitors venture.
Type species: Cicindela aterrima Cassola, 1985 [by original designation (W. Horn 1899)]
1. Wiesner, J. (2020) — checklist authority 2. Horn, W. (1899) — original genus description 3. Werner, K. (2000) — Tiger Beetles of Africa, Vol. 2 4. Werner, K. (1999/2000) — The Tiger Beetles of Africa (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae). Volumes I (1999, 191 pp) and II (2000, 207 pp). Taita Publishers, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. [Color picture-catalogue of 396 species in 34 genera; covers sub-Saharan Africa excluding Madagascar; 779 colour photographs in Vol II alone] 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. Horn, W. (1908, 1910, 1915) — Coleoptera Adephaga, fam. Carabidae, subfam. Cicindelinae. In: Wytsman, P. (Ed.) Genera Insectorum, fascicles 82a, 82b, 82c. L. Desmet-Verteneuil, Bruxelles. BHL bibliography/45481 [foundational historical monograph of Cicindelidae, treating all genera known at the time]
Living Book · World Monograph 2026
Genera and Subgenera of Tiger Beetles
240 genera · 3,715 taxa · 194-character matrix · 12 months free updates