Montana Field Guide

The following comes from Knudsen (1985) and Pearson et al (2015). Body length is 10-13 mm. Above generally reddish but can vary into brown, blue, or green. White maculations are thick and complete, shoulder (humeral) maculation long and nearly touching the middle maculation, the middle maculation bent at less than a right angle such that it runs obliquely to outer margin of the elytra and approaches the elytra suture. Elytra deeply punctate (pitted). Below, metallic green to blue. Forehead hairy and labrum short with three teeth.

Tiger beetle life cycles fit two general categories based on adult activity periods. “Spring-fall” beetles emerge as adults in late summer and fall, then overwinter in burrows before emerging again in spring when mature and ready to mate and lay eggs. The life cycle may take 1-4 years. “Summer” beetles emerge as adults in early summer, then mate and lay eggs before dying. The life cycle may take 1-2 years, possibly longer depending on latitude and elevation (Kippenhan 1994, Knisley and Schultz 1997, and Leonard and Bell 1999). Adults of Cicindela fulgida (all subspecies) exhibit a spring-fall life cycle. Typically May to June and September for C. f. pseudowillistoni (Larochelle and Larivière 2001). In Montana, adults within the range of C. f. pseudowillistoni present at least mid-May to early September (Nate Kohler personal communication).

The following is taken from Wallis (1961), Willis (1966), Knudsen (1985), Acorn (2001), and Pearson et al. (2015). The combination of smaller size, shiny elytra with thick and complete maculations, and occurrence on saline habitats help distinguish this from many other tiger beetles. In general, most similar to the Dark Saltflat Tiger Beetle (C. parowana) but that species does not occur in Montana. The Blowout Tiger Beetle (C. lengi) is larger, less shiny, and tends to occur in sandy habitats, not saline. The Oblique-lined Tiger Beetle (C. tranquebarica) is much larger, less polished looking, and the shoulder (humeral) maculation is much narrower at the shoulder. The middle maculation of C. f. pseudowillistoni tends to bend at less than a right angle and is oblique to the edge of the elytra, rather than bent at a right angle and parallel to the elytra margin as with C. f. fulgida and C. f. westbournei; ambiguous and inconsistent variation among geographical populations confound subspecies designations (Willis 1966, Hooper 1969, Knudsen 1985, Kippenhan 1994, Acorn 2001, and Pearson et al. 2015).

Non-migratory but capable of dispersal. When wings fully developed (macropterous) it is a strong flier, fast runner, and very active (Larochelle and Larivière 2001).

Adult and larval tiger beetle habitat is essentially identical, the larvae live in soil burrows (Knisley and Schultz 1997). Across the range Cicindela fulgida (including C. f. pseudowillistoni) associated with saline flats, alkaline soils (pH up to 8.5), dry mud flats, grassy margins of gypsum flats, ditches, saline margins (wet or dry) of lakes, reservoirs, marshes, ponds, rivers, sand flats, in grasslands and prairies, always in presence of sparse short grass or small shrubs at edges of open areas (Vaurie 1950, Ferris 1969, Hooper 1969, Knisley 1984, Acorn 2001, Larochelle and Larivière 2001, Kritsky and Smith 2005, and Pearson et al. 2015). In Montana, habitat where C. fulgida is encountered includes saline areas along roads, lake margins, and reservoirs to at least 3842 ft (1171 m) elevation within the range of C. f. pseudowillistoni (Vaurie 1950, Nate Kohler personal communication).

Larval and adult tiger beetles are predaceous. In general, both feed considerably on ants (Wallis 1961, and Knisley and Schultz 1997). What little is known regarding the food habits of the species probably pertains to subspecies as well, including C. f. pseudowillistoni. Diet of adult C. fulgida in the field includes ants, acridid grasshoppers, other insects, and spiders; in captivity feeds on both live and dead dipterans (fruit flies). Larval foods are not described (Vaurie 1950, Larochelle and Larivière 2001, Riggins and Hoback 2005). Adult Cicindela fulgida fulgida can capture prey without the use of antennae or vision (Riggins and Hoback 2005), and is likely also the case with C. f. pseudowillistoni.

Larval tiger beetles live in burrows and molt through three instars to pupation, which also occurs in the larval burrow. Adults make shallow burrows in soil for overnight protection, deeper burrows for overwintering. Adults are sensitive to heat and light and are most active during sunny conditions. Excessive heat during midday on sunny days drives adults to seek shelter among vegetation or in burrows (Wallis 1961, Knisley and Schultz 1997). Most subspecies of C. fulgida have a narrow range of ecological tolerance (stenotopic), including C. f. pseudowillistoni. Ecology is probably similar among subspecies. Larval burrows excavated among vegetation in vicinity of hummocks, along margins of small flats, and along sloping stream banks (Larochelle and Larivière 2001). Adults are diurnal and gregarious, very active beginning in early morning and especially so at midday but may remain motionless or in shade when soil temperature exceeds 30°C (Brosius and Higley 2013), and often hide in round holes in the ground or under alkaline crusts during rainy and cloudy conditions. Predators are apparently not described but probably include asilid (robber) flies and various birds. Not especially wary, prefers to run rapidly when pursued, escape flights tend to be short and erratic (Vaurie 1950, Hooper 1969, Larochelle and Larivière 2001). Associated tiger beetle species include Oblique-lined Tiger Beetle (C. tranquebarica) (Larochelle and Larivière 2001) and other salt flat-occuring species (Pearson et al. 2015).

Life cycle of C. fulgida is probably 2-3 years (Acorn 2001, Pearson et al. 2015) and likely similar among subspecies, including C. f. pseudowillistoni. Pairs of C. fulgida noted in late July and August (Vaurie 1950, Hooper 1969, Larochelle and Larivière 2001). Adult females oviposit while tunneling below the soil surface. The depth of oviposition is not known. Larval burrows (second instar) to about 13.0 cm deep. Duration of larval stage unknown but probably 2 years in Alberta (Acorn 2001, Larochelle and Larivière 2001, Brust et al. 2012). No information about reproductive characteristics of this or any subspecies in Montana.

Cicindela fulgida pseudowillistoni not considered rare or in need of special conservation management (Knisley et al. 2014). Maintaining areas of open saline soils, which is tied to fluctuations in surface and subsurface water levels, is probably of most importance to all subspecies of Cicindela fulgida. Encroachment of open areas by native or exotic plants that invade saline soils might become a problem locally. Local disturbance could also be a problem for some populations where larval burrows are damaged or destroyed by trampling from livestock drawn to water sources, but grazing at appropriate times and stocking levels could also be beneficial by keeping vegetation cover more open (Knisley 2011).