Cicindinae

Cicindinae is a subfamily of ground beetles in the family Carabidae, commonly known as tiger beetles. The group is globally distributed and comprises numerous species noted for their predatory lifestyle and rapid running speed.

Adults are slender beetles with large eyes, long legs, and strong, sickle-shaped mandibles. Many species show metallic or iridescent coloration and distinctive patterns on the elytra. Their eye size and leg length contribute to exceptional visual tracking and fast pursuit.

Tiger beetles inhabit a wide range of warm, sunny environments, including sandy shores, riverbanks, grasslands, dunes, and woodland edges. Some species are habitat specialists; others are generalists. They favor exposed ground that facilitates rapid chases and escape.

Life cycle: Females lay eggs in soil. Larvae are fossorial, living in vertical burrows where they ambush passing invertebrates. They molt through several instars before pupating underground. Adults hunt by sight, seizing small arthropods such as ants and flies, often relying on speed rather than stealth. Many species can fly to disperse to new habitats.

Taxonomy and classification: Cicindinae is traditionally treated as a subfamily within Carabidae, though some classifications have historically treated tiger beetles as a separate family (Cicindidae). The subfamily contains many genera, including Cicindela and related groups.

Ecology and conservation: Tiger beetles are sometimes used as bioindicators of habitat quality because of their sensitivity to environmental changes. Habitat destruction and disturbance can threaten local populations, and several species are of conservation concern in parts of their range.