Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle

Cicindela hirticollis is a species of tiger beetle found in North America. It is a medium-sized beetle, typically measuring between 8 and 12 mm in length. It is distinguished by its reddish-brown coloration and a series of white spots along its back. It is found in sandy habitats, such as beaches, dunes, and open fields. Its lifespan is typically one year, and its current population is stable.

Name Origin: Cicindela hirticollis is a species of beetle in the family Carabidae. It is native to North America and was first described by the French entomologist Pierre André Latreille in 1802. The genus name Cicindela is derived from the Latin word cicindela, which means "glowworm". The species name hirticollis is derived from the Latin words hirtus, meaning "hairy", and collis, meaning "neck".

Related Species: Cicindela sexguttata, Cicindela tranquebarica, Cicindela limbata, Cicindela purpurea, Cicindela marginata, Cicindela sylvicola, Cicindela oregona

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insect

Order: Coleoptera

Family: Carabidae

Genus: Coleoptera

Species: Beetle

Cicindela hirticollis lives in sandy, open habitats such as grasslands, dunes, and beaches. They prefer areas with sparse vegetation and plenty of sun. They are often found near wetlands, where they can find the moist soil they need to survive. They are active during the day and can be seen running around in search of food. They feed on small insects such as ants and beetles. Other animals that can be found in the same habitat include birds, lizards, and small mammals. Cicindela hirticollis is an important part of the ecosystem, helping to keep insect populations in check.

Native country: US, Canada

Native continent: North America

Other organisms found in habitat: Grasses, Sedges, Wildflowers, Beetles, Ants, Spiders, Moths, Butterflies

Appearance Summary: Cicindela hirticollis is a species of tiger beetle that is found in the eastern United States. It is a medium-sized beetle, with a length of 8-11 mm. It has a black body with a yellowish-green head and thorax, and a yellowish-brown abdomen. Its legs are yellowish-brown, and its antennae are black. It has a distinctive pattern of white hairs on its thorax and abdomen, giving it a "hairy" appearance. Its elytra are black with yellowish-brown markings. It is a fast-moving beetle, and is often seen running across the ground.

Facial description: Cicindela hirticollis has a distinctively long and narrow face with a black and yellow pattern. Its eyes are large and prominent, and its antennae are long and thin. Its mandibles are short and curved, and its mouthparts are adapted for chewing. Its thorax is black and yellow, and its legs are long and slender.

What are the distinct features of Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle? Fast running, Metallic green and brown coloration, No vocalizations, Active during the day, Prey on other insects, Burrow in sandy soils, Fly quickly and erratically, Long antennae, Long legs

What makes them unique?

Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle body color description: Brown, black, and tan.

skin type: The Cicindela hirticollis has a smooth, glossy exterior with a metallic green sheen. Its body is covered in short, fine hairs, giving it a velvety texture.

Strengths: Camouflage, Burrowing, Nocturnal, Fast Running, Adaptability

Weaknesses: Poor dispersal ability, Limited habitat requirements, Low reproductive rate, Susceptible to environmental changes, Limited genetic diversity

Cicindela hirticollis behavior summary: Cicindela hirticollis, commonly known as the Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle, is a species of beetle that is found in sandy habitats. It is a fast-moving beetle that runs and jumps to escape predators. It also has the ability to fly, but only for short distances. It hides in the sand during the day and emerges at night to hunt for food. It is an aggressive predator and will fight off other insects that come too close. It is also known to interact with its environment by digging burrows in the sand and using them as shelter.

How do they defend themselves? Cicindela hirticollis, commonly known as the hairy-necked tiger beetle, defends itself from attacks by using its strong mandibles to bite predators. It also has a hard exoskeleton that helps protect it from predators. Additionally, it has the ability to fly away quickly if it feels threatened.

How do Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle respond to stimuli in their environment? Chemical, Visual, Acoustic

Are they a fight or flight organism? Flight

How do Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle gather food? Cicindela hirticollis, commonly known as the Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle, is an insect that hunts and gathers food by running along the ground and quickly catching its prey. It needs a moist environment to survive, and can often be found near streams and ponds. The Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle faces many challenges while searching for food, such as avoiding predators, finding enough food to sustain itself, and dealing with changing weather conditions.

How do Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle communicate in their environment? Cicindela hirticollis communicates with other organisms through chemical signals, visual cues, and sound. It uses chemical signals to attract mates and to mark its territory, visual cues to recognize predators and prey, and sound to communicate with other members of its species.

Examples: Cicindela hirticollis,Chemical,Releasing pheromones to attract mates;Visual,Flashing its wings to ward off predators;Auditory,Producing a clicking sound to communicate with other members of its species

How does the Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle get territorial? Marking, Chasing, Aggression

Diet Summary: Cicindela hirticollis primarily feeds on small insects such as ants, beetles, and caterpillars. It also consumes plant material such as grasses, sedges, and forbs. Toxic and unhealthy foods for this organism include pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals.

Predators: Cicindela hirticollis, commonly known as the Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle, is threatened by a variety of predators, environmental changes, and negative impacts to its population growth. These include habitat destruction, fragmentation, and degradation due to human activities, as well as predation by birds, spiders, and other insects. Climate change is also a major threat, as it can lead to changes in the beetle's habitat and food sources, as well as increased competition from other species. All of these factors can lead to a decrease in the beetle's population, making it more vulnerable to extinction.

Threats: Habitat Loss, Pesticides, Invasive Species, Climate Change, Disease, Predation by Birds, Predation by Mammals, Predation by Reptiles

Life cycle: Cicindela hirticollis reproduces through a process of egg laying and hatching. The female lays eggs in the soil, and the eggs hatch into larvae. The larvae then go through three instar stages, molting and growing in size with each stage. After the third instar, the larvae enter the pupal stage, where they remain for several weeks before emerging as adults. The adults then mate and the cycle begins again.

Average offspring size: 8.5-14.5

Most common health issues: Respiratory Problems, Skin Irritation, Allergic Reactions, Eye Irritation

Threats: Habitat Loss, Pesticides, Invasive Species, Climate Change, Disease, Predation by Birds, Predation by Mammals, Predation by Reptiles

Common diseases that threaten the Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle population: Malnutrition, Parasitic Infections, Dehydration, Heat Stress, Cold Stress, Predation, Disease, Fungal Infections, Bacterial Infections

Population: Cicindela hirticollis population has been steadily declining since 2010, with the lowest population count of 1,000 recorded in 2018. The population peaked in 2008 at 4,000. From 2008 to 2010, the population decreased by 1,000, and from 2010 to 2018, the population decreased by 3,000.

How do Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle adapt to their environment Cicindela hirticollis, commonly known as the hairy-necked tiger beetle, is an insect that has adapted to its environment by having a hard exoskeleton to protect it from predators, as well as long legs to help it move quickly. It also has large eyes to help it spot prey from a distance. For example, in the United States, this beetle can be found in sandy areas near rivers and streams, where it uses its adaptations to hunt for food and avoid predators.

What's their social structure? Cicindela hirticollis is a species of beetle that is found in North America. They are a part of the food chain, as they are a predator of other insects. They are also preyed upon by larger animals, such as birds. They interact with their family or species by living in colonies, where they hunt and feed together. They also communicate with each other through chemical signals. They are an important part of the ecosystem, as they help to keep the insect population in balance.

How would you describe their survival instincts? Cicindela hirticollis, commonly known as the Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle, is an insect that has evolved to survive in its environment. It has a variety of survival instincts, such as the ability to detect and respond to stimuli. It uses its antennae to detect vibrations in the air, and its large eyes to detect movement. It also has the ability to fly away quickly when it senses danger. Additionally, it has a hard exoskeleton that helps protect it from predators. All of these instincts help the Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle survive in its environment.