Tiger Beetles of Martha's Vineyard

Variously treated as a family (Cicindelidae) or a subfamily (Cicindelinae) within the ground beetle family, Carabidae, tiger beetles are a distinctive group of predatory beetles mostly associated with open habitats. Adults are active hunters, running down smaller arthropods as prey; larvae live in burrows, ambushing prey items passing near the burrow entrance. Eleven species are known from Martha's Vineyard, some common and widespread, some associated with very particular habitats, and some rare or perhaps extirpated. Species fall roughly into two categories of adult activity: spring-fall species, with two seasons of activity each year, and midsummer species. Tiger beetles are fairly easy to identify if you can get a good look or photograph -- but they are wary, fly strongly when disturbed, and need to be approached cautiously if you want to get a decent view. less ↑