Genus
Trichotaenia
15 species
*Trichotaenia* Rivalier, 1957 is a medium-sized tiger beetle genus of sub-Saharan Africa, its roughly 12–18 species inhabiting open wetland margins, clay-pans, and compacted laterite soils. Measuring 10–18 mm, these dark, matte-bodied beetles adopt a distinctly depressed, flattened profile uncommon among African cicindelids. Activity is nocturnal, aligning the genus with a select guild of night-active hunters on open, hard substrates. The name reflects the characteristic three-part elytral maculation — a hairy band pattern that serves as an immediate field mark.
Diagnosis
DIAGNOSIS — *Trichotaenia* Rivalier, 1957. Body 10–18 mm, depressed/flattened (L:W 2–3); coloration dark, matte; fully winged. Head with medium eyes; labrum transverse. Elytra with tripartite maculation (humeral spot + median fascia + apical mark; H04=4), bearing diagnostic setation along elytral margins. Nocturnal; substrate compacted laterite, clay-pan, or sandy soils (sub-Saharan Africa). No confusion genera recorded.
Etymology
From Greek *thríx/trichós* (hair) + *tainía* (ribbon, band) — "with hairy band".
Species (15)
Distribution map — GBIF occurrences
GBIF · © OpenStreetMap · © CartoDB
Overview
*Trichotaenia* Rivalier, 1957 is a medium-sized tiger beetle genus of sub-Saharan Africa, its roughly 12–18 species inhabiting open wetland margins, clay-pans, and compacted laterite soils. Measuring 10–18 mm, these dark, matte-bodied beetles adopt a distinctly depressed, flattened profile uncommon among African cicindelids. Activity is nocturnal, aligning the genus with a select guild of night-active hunters on open, hard substrates. The name reflects the characteristic three-part elytral maculation — a hairy band pattern that serves as an immediate field mark.
Type species: Trichotaenia pringuena Rivalier, 1969 [by monotypy]
1. Wiesner, J. (2020) — checklist authority 2. Rivalier, E. (1969) — original genus description 3. Cassola, F. (multiple papers) — Madagascan Cicindelidae revisions 4. 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] 5. 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] 6. 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] 7. Rivalier, É. (1958) — Démembrement du genre Cicindela Linné. III. Faune africano-malgache. Revue Française d'Entomologie 24: 312-342. [Part III — African + Madagascan fauna] 8. 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] 9. Cassola/Bouyer (2011) — Entomologia Africana 16 (2) (p.17-37) 2011, Les Cic. du Katanga; Cassola/Bouyer +3 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