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Home/ Cicindelini / Cylindera / Cylindera contorta
free LC species medium Iridescent

Cylindera contorta

(Fischer von Waldheim, 1828)

Common name: Contorted Tiger Beetle

Tribe
Cicindelini
Subtribe
Cicindelina
Bioregion
Palearctic / Oriental
Countries
7
Body length
13.5 mm
Habitat
coastal-sandy
Activity
diurnal
Wings
macropterous

Distribution

Romania, Moldavia, Turkey, Georgia, Ukraine, Russia (S European Territory, Altai W + E Siberia), Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Mongolia, China (Nei Mongol, Qinghai, Xinjiang)

Coastal habitatBiome: Coastal sandy
Provinces: S European Territory, Altai W + E Siberia, Nei Mongol, Qinghai, Xinjiang

Flight period

I

Active June–October (peak Jul–Aug)

Similar to: Resembles Apterodela, Calochroa, Calomera
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
X
XI
XII

VI-X (monsoon-triggered, Oriental)

Key diagnostic characters

DIAGNOSIS — Cylindera Westwood, 1831 Body 6–13 mm, elongate-cylindrical habitus. Distinguished from Cicindela s.str., Calomera, Lophyra, Myriochila, Parvindela, Cicindelidia by aedeagal morphology.

Confidence profile

geo:H|bio:H|morph:H|pheno:I|elev:I|obs:M

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Genera and Subgenera of Tiger Beetles

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Taxonomic notes

Original combination: [orig. comb.] contorta contorta (Fischer von Waldheim, 1828) (Fischer von Waldheim, 1828)

Originally described as contorta contorta (Fischer von Waldheim, 1828); transferred to Cylindera · Verified in Wiesner 2020 checklist

Synonym: Cicindela contorta contorta (Fischer von Waldheim, 1828) [basionym]

Data quality: 84/100  ·  Source: GBIF; Wiesner2020; matrix-morphology  ·  Verified by V. Štrunc · Audited: 2026-05-13

Frequently asked

What is the Contorted Tiger Beetle? ▾
Cylindera (Eugrapha) Rivalier, 1950 encompasses roughly 30 species distributed across the Palearctic, Afrotropical, and Oriental realms. These slender, metallic beetles measure 7–14 mm and favour open, wet habitats with bare or sandy substrates. Nocturnal hunters, their larvae develop in vertical
Where does the Contorted Tiger Beetle live? ▾
It specialises in coastal sandy habitats. distributed across the Palearctic / Oriental region. with record
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