Sophiodela

Overview

*Sophiodela* Nakane, 1955 is a small genus of 4–5 metallic tiger beetles inhabiting open, wet environments across the Palaearctic–Oriental transition zone, including Japan, Vietnam, and China. Adults are nocturnal, measuring 16–22 mm, with striking metallic coloration and pale elytral spots. Larvae develop in vertical burrows excavated in bare or sparsely vegetated soil.

Type species: Sophiodela cyaneofusca Naviaux, 1994 [by monotypy]

1. Wiesner, J. (2020) — checklist authority 2. Naviaux, R. (1994) — original genus description 3. Pearson, D.L. et al. (2020) — Field Guide India (verify Indian records) 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. Putchkov, A.V. & Arndt, E. (1997–2010) — Treatments in Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera (Löbl & Smetana eds., Vol. 1). 6. Löbl, I. & Smetana, A. (eds.) (2003) — Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera, Vol. 1: Archostemata–Myxophaga–Adephaga. Apollo Books, Stenstrup, 819 pp. [ISBN 87-88757-73-0] 7. Knisley, C.B. & Pearson, D.L. (1984) — Biosystematics of larval tiger beetles, Sulphur Springs Valley, Arizona: descriptions of species and a review of larval biology. Transactions of the American Entomological Society 110: 465-551. 8. Arndt, E. & Putchkov, A.V. (1997) — Phylogenetic investigation of Cicindelidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) using larval morphological characters. Zoologischer Anzeiger 235: 231-241. 9. Schüle, P., Putchkov, A.V. & Markina, T.Y. (2021) — Dromica larvae: pronotum and hooks as unique characters. ZooKeys 1027: 111-138. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1027.61993 +5 citations · full list in paid edition