Diet

• Adults: Active predators that capture ants, flies, beetles, grasshoppers, spiders, and other small arthropods. They chase prey on the ground and seize it with powerful mandibles.

• Larvae: Ambush predators that live in vertical burrows in soil, waiting at the entrance for passing ants, beetles, and other small invertebrates.

Range

• The genus Cicindela is primarily distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, with species occurring throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.

• Numerous species occur in Mexico, particularly in open, warm habitats.

• Species diversity is especially high in sandy, sparsely vegetated environments.

Habitat

• Found in sandy beaches, riverbanks, lake margins, dirt trails, open woodland, grasslands, dry forest clearings, and disturbed ground.

• Many species are strongly associated with particular soil types and moisture conditions.

• Adults are commonly seen running rapidly across bare ground and flying short distances when approached.

Size

• Adult length: approximately 10–18 mm (0.4–0.7 in).

• Slender, long-legged beetles with large eyes and powerful mandibles; many species have metallic green, bronze, copper, or patterned elytra.