Our insect of the week for this week (December 23, 2024) is the second part of a 9 part series.
Tiger beetle # 2 is Cicindela hirticollis [COLEOPTERA: Cicindelidae]. This species was described by the American entomologist, Thomas Say in 1817. Yes, one year before Illinois became a state. The common name is hairy-necked tiger beetle. There are 11 recognized subspecies in North America. Our former member, Gordon Adams, collected this specimen in Peoria County, Illinois, in July, 1967.
This species prefers dry sandy beaches and sand bars in rivers and streams. Populations of this species appear to be in decline.
Copyrighted photos below represent many stacked photos of the beetle. The top photo is dorsal view, next, is lateral view, and the bottom photo is frontal view.
