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Naomi Smith | profile | all galleries >> Beetles >> Tiger Beetles >> Mistaken Identity tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Mistaken Identity

The male beetle on top is Cicindela punctulata, while the female is Cicindela repanda. It seems there was a case of mistaken identity. The female beetles have a depression in the side of the thorax called the coupling sulcus which is shaped to match the mandibles of the males. Usually, this makes it easier for the females to dislodge males that are the wrong species. Looks like the overzealous punctulata caused some damage to her thorax.
B. Coulter - BugGuide
 Cicindela repanda and  Cicindela punctulata AU10 3834
Cicindela repanda and Cicindela punctulata AU10 3834
Cicindela repanda AU10 #3841
Cicindela repanda AU10 #3841
Cicindela repanda AU10 #3844
Cicindela repanda AU10 #3844
Cicindela repanda AU10 #3847
Cicindela repanda AU10 #3847