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Home/ Megacephalini / Tetracha / Tetracha chilensis
free_basic NE species Endemic · BR large

Tetracha chilensis

(Eschscholtz, 1829)

Common name: Chilean Giant Tiger Beetle

Tribe
Megacephalini
Subtribe
Megacephalina
Bioregion
Neotropical
Countries
4
Body length
20.5 mm
Habitat
open-ground
Activity
nocturnal
Wings
macropterous

Distribution

Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, N Chile

Open Sandy habitatBiome: Open arid

Flight period

I

Active September–March (peak Oct–Dec)

Similar to: Resembles Aniara, Metriocheila, Phaeoxantha
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
X
XI
XII

IX-III (rainfall-triggered, Neotropical wet season)

Key diagnostic characters

DIAGNOSIS — Tetracha Hope, 1838 Body 10–20 mm, robust Megacephalini habitus. Nocturnal–crepuscular.

Confidence profile

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

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Taxonomic notes

Original combination: [orig. comb.] immaculipennis (Bates, 1869) (Bates, 1869)

Originally described as immaculipennis (Bates, 1869); transferred to Tetracha · Verified in Wiesner 2020 checklist

Synonym: Cicindela immaculipennis (Bates, 1869) [basionym]

Data quality: 75/100  ·  Source: GBIF; Wiesner2020; matrix-morphology  ·  Verified by V. Štrunc · Audited: 2026-05-13

Frequently asked

What is the Immaculipennis Tiger Beetle? ▾
Tetracha Hope, 1838 is one of the largest genera in Megacephalini, with approximately 102 species prowling forest clearings and sandy or clay-loam substrates near water across the Americas. These robust, metallic beetles emerge after dark, hunting under moonlight on bare ground. Larvae develop in
Where does the Immaculipennis Tiger Beetle live? ▾
It specialises in open ground habitats. distributed across the Neotropical region. with records