Species Details
Cicindela formosa formosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameBeautiful tiger beetle
SeasonalityThese beetles have been collected from May through July and September; also expected in August.
IdentificationThis is the largest of the Alberta tiger beetles. The shape of the humeral lunule is distinctive. Adults have a bright blue metallic lustre on the ventral surface, with the pigmented areas of the elytra red to red-purple.
Scientific Name
Cicindela formosa formosa
Common Name
Beautiful tiger beetle
Habitat
Sandy blowouts and marginal areas of active sand dunes in areas of sparse vegetation.
Seasonality
These beetles have been collected from May through July and September; also expected in August.
Identification
This is the largest of the Alberta tiger beetles. The shape of the humeral lunule is distinctive. Adults have a bright blue metallic lustre on the ventral surface, with the pigmented areas of the elytra red to red-purple.
Life History
Adults are known to overwinter.
Conservation
This species is relatively rare in Alberta, and is on the ANHIC tracking list.
Diet Info
None available.
Range
The range of this subspecies extends through central and northeastern United States to southeastern and south central Canada. These beetles are found only in the south-east corner of Alberta.
Citation
Page Citation for Cicindela formosa formosa
Page Citation
"Species Details - Cicindela formosa formosa, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-1761. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
References
Author
Freitag, Richard
Title
Catalogue of the tiger beetles of Canada and the United States
Publication Date
1999
Pages
195
Author
Wallis, J. B.
Title
Cicindelidae of Canada
Publication Date
1961
Pages
72
Author
Hilchie, Gerald J.
Title
The tiger beetles of Alberta (Coleoptera: Carabidae, Cicindelini)
Publication Date
1985
Series Title
Quaestiones Entomologicae
Volume
21
Pages
319-347
Author
Acorn, John
Title
Tiger Beetles of Alberta
Publication Date
2001
Pages
120
Specimen Information
There are 26 specimens of this Species.
UASM375 - Cicindela formosa formosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Empress
Collected ByHilchie, Gerald J.
Date Collected1973-05-19
UASM376 - Cicindela formosa formosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Empress
Date Collected1972-07-12
UASM377 - Cicindela formosa formosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Empress
Date Collected1972-07-12
UASM378 - Cicindela formosa formosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Empress
Date Collected1972-07-12
UASM379 - Cicindela formosa formosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Empress
Date Collected1972-07-12
UASM380 - Cicindela formosa formosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Empress
Date Collected1972-07-12
UASM381 - Cicindela formosa formosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Empress
Collected ByHilchie, Gerald J.
Date Collected1975-05-18
UASM382 - Cicindela formosa formosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Empress
Collected ByBall, G. E.
Date Collected1957-07-01
UASM135445 - Cicindela formosa formosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan
Collected ByHilchie, G. J.
Date Collected1977-05-30
UASM135446 - Cicindela formosa formosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan
Collected ByHilchie, G. J.
Date Collected1976-05-22
UASM135447 - Cicindela formosa formosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan
Collected ByHilchie, G. J.
Date Collected1976-05-06
UASM135448 - Cicindela formosa formosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan
Collected ByHilchie, G. J.
Date Collected1976-09-09
UASM135449 - Cicindela formosa formosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan
Collected ByHilchie, G. J.
Date Collected1977-08-16
UASM135450 - Cicindela formosa formosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan
Collected ByHilchie, G. J.
Date Collected1976-05-06
UASM135451 - Cicindela formosa formosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan
Collected ByHilchie, G. J.
Date Collected1976-08-06
UASM135452 - Cicindela formosa formosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan
Collected ByHilchie, G. J.
Date Collected1976-09-09
UASM135453 - Cicindela formosa formosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Colorado, Larimer county, Poudre Canyon
Date Collected1948-08-19/1948-08-22
UASM135454 - Cicindela formosa formosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Colorado, Larimer county, Poudre Canyon
Date Collected1948-08-19/1948-08-22
UASM135455 - Cicindela formosa formosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Colorado, Larimer county, Poudre Canyon
Date Collected1948-08-19/1948-08-22
UASM135456 - Cicindela formosa formosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Colorado, Larimer county, Poudre Canyon
Date Collected1948-08-19/1948-08-22
UASM135457 - Cicindela formosa formosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Colorado, Larimer county, Poudre Canyon
Date Collected1948-08-19/1948-08-22