free NE species Endemic · IN medium ★ 5.8 Aposematic

Platychile pallida

Q: What is the Dives Tiger Beetle?

Plutacia Rivalier, 1961 is a small Oriental genus of just two tiger beetle species, recognised by their notably reduced eyes — an unusual trait among the predominantly large-eyed Cicindelina. These metallic beetles inhabit forest floors, favouring bare sandy soil, clay-loam, and riverine substrate

(Walker, 1859)

Common name: Pallida Tiger Beetle

Tribe

Manticorini

Subtribe

Bioregion

Afrotropical

Countries

Body length

25 mm

Habitat

open-ground

Activity

nocturnal

Wings

apterous

Distribution

Republic of South Africa (N False Bay), Namibia (Swakopmund, Walfish Bay, Lüderitz, S'Oranje River)

Open Sandy habitatBiome: Open arid

Provinces: N False Bay, Swakopmund, Walfish Bay, Lüderitz, S'Oranje River

Flight period

Active June–October (peak Jul–Aug)

Similar to: Resembles Abroscelis, Antennaria, Apteroessa

III

VII

VIII

XII

X-IV (rainfall-triggered, Afrotropical wet season)

Key diagnostic characters

DIAGNOSIS — *Platychile* MacLeay, 1825 Monotypic. Body medium-large, apterous habituwith typical of Manticorini.

Precise distribution

NA, ZA

Confidence profile

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Taxonomic notes

Original combination: [orig. comb.] dives (Bates, 1892) (Bates, 1892)

Originally described as dives (Bates, 1892); transferred to Plutacia · Verified in Wiesner 2020 checklist

Synonym: Cicindela dives (Bates, 1892) [basionym]

Data quality: 76/100 · Source: GBIF; Wiesner2020; matrix-morphology · Verified by V. Štrunc · Audited: 2026-05-13

Frequently asked

What is the Dives Tiger Beetle? ▾

Plutacia Rivalier, 1961 is a small Oriental genus of just two tiger beetle species, recognised by their notably reduced eyes — an unusual trait among the predominantly large-eyed Cicindelina. These metallic beetles inhabit forest floors, favouring bare sandy soil, clay-loam, and riverine substrate

Where does the Dives Tiger Beetle live? ▾

It specialises in open ground habitats. distributed across the Oriental region. with records from India (West Beng

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