> >
free_basic NE species Endemic · NZ medium

Zecicindela hamiltoni

(Bates, 1892)

Common name: Hamiltoni Tiger Beetle

Tribe
Subtribe
Cicindelina
Bioregion
Australasian
Countries
1
Body length
11.5 mm
Habitat
coastal-sandy
Activity
diurnal
Wings
macropterous

Distribution

New Zealand (South)

Coastal habitatBiome: Coastal sandy
Provinces: South

Flight period

I

Active October–March (peak Jan–Nov)

Similar to: Resembles Abroscelis, Antennaria, Archidela
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
X
XI
XII

X-III (rainfall-triggered, austral wet season)

Key diagnostic characters

DIAGNOSIS — *Zecicindela* Csiki, 1908 Body medium (8–15 mm), elongate-cursorial habitus, typically more robust than continental Cicindelina. Head wider than pronotum; eyewith large, protuberant.

Precise distribution

NZ

Confidence profile

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

Living Book · World Monograph 2026

Genera and Subgenera of Tiger Beetles

240 genera · 3,715 taxa · 194-character matrix · 12 months free updates

Pre-order €79 →

Taxonomic notes

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

Originally described as helmsi circumpictoides (Bates, 1892); transferred to Zecicindela · Verified in Wiesner 2020 checklist

Synonym: Cicindela helmsi circumpictoides (Bates, 1892) [basionym]

Data quality: 72/100  ·  Source: GBIF; Wiesner2020; matrix-morphology  ·  Verified by V. Štrunc · Audited: 2026-05-13

Frequently asked

What is the Helmsi Tiger Beetle?
Zecicindela is a small but distinctive genus of tiger beetles endemic to New Zealand, comprising ten species adapted to forest environments and bare sandy or clay substrates. These medium-sized, metallic beetles are nocturnal hunters, a trait uncommon among cicindelines. Fully winged and robustly
Where does the Helmsi Tiger Beetle live?
It specialises in coastal sandy habitats. distributed across the Australasian region. with records from New Zeal