Cicindela theatina | |
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Great Sand Dunes tiger beetle | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Coleoptera |
Family: | Cicindelidae |
Genus: | Cicindela |
Species: | C. theatina
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Binomial name | |
Cicindela theatina
Rotger, 1944
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Cicindela theatina, commonly known as the Great Sand Dunes tiger beetle, is a predatory beetle found in sparsely vegetated sandy habitats. [1] The species' range encompasses only about 290 square kilometres (110 sq mi) in the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado. [2] Despite its small range, the species is relatively secure because its entire habitat is within a protected national park. [3] [4]
The adults are about 13 millimetres (0.51 in) long and are readily distinguished by the violin-shaped marking on their backs and their iridescent green-blue heads. [1]
The insects live for approximately 2.5 years, with mating occurring in late May and larvae appearing the next month. [2] The larval stage lasts a little more than a year, with adults emerging the next July. [2]