NSF Home IMAGE LIBRARY HOME Contact NSF Image Library How to Use the NSF Image Library
Image Search


IMAGE SEARCH
ALL IMAGES
NEW ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY
NEWS IMAGES
NSF SENIOR STAFF
OTHER PHOTO SOURCES
Image: Tiger beetle species <I>Cicindela pulchra,</I> photographed at Wilcox Playa, Arizona. Tiger beetles are a type of arthropod that are found almost everywhere on earth. They stand out because of their bright colors and interesting markings. [See related images: <B>Bronzed Tiger Beetle (<I>Cicindela rapanda</I>)</B>, <B>Six Spotted Tiger Beetle (<I>Cicindela sexguttata</I>)</B>, <B>Tiger Beetle Species <I>Cicindela lemniscata</I></B>, <B>Tiger Beetle Species <I>Cicindela oregona maricopa</I></B>, and <B>Tiger Beetles as Bioindicators</B>.]<BR> <BR> <B><U>More about Tiger Beetles</U>:</B><BR> Tiger beetles (family <I>Cicindelidae</I>) are a type of arthropod—a group that includes all insects, crustaceans, and arachnids. There are about 2,300 species of tiger beetles. With the exception of Antarctica, Tasmania, and a few of the most remote oceanic islands, tiger beetles are found everywhere on earth where there's land.<BR> <BR> Tiger beetles live primarily in tropical areas, but the United States is home to 120 different species. There are 36 species living in the state of Arizona alone! Eighteen different species live in the Sulphur Springs Valley in southeastern Arizona--one of the highest concentrations of species in all of North America.<BR> <BR> Most tiger beetles are brown or green with stripes, but some species are stunningly decorated in metallic green, brown, maroon, or purple, often with stripes or spots. They vary greatly in size. The smallest species lives in Borneo and is about the length of a housefly. The largest lives in southern Africa and can measures up to 45 millimeters. Species found in Arizona range from 10 to 25 millimeters in length.<BR> <BR> All tiger beetles have long, thin mandibles shaped like sickles, which help them capture prey. The beetle larvae use their mandibles to dig tunnels in the ground, where they wait for small insects to pass close enough for capture. The larvae stay in their tunnels from one to three years before emerging as adult beetles.<BR> <BR> Tiger beetles are swift. An Australian tiger beetle species is the fastest running of all arthropods. It can move 9 kilometers per hour (5.6 miles per hour). Tigers use this speed to capture prey. All desert tigers use their excellent eyesight to locate prey, and their amazing speed to run it down.<BR> <BR> Some conservation biologists have taken an interest in these colorful predators as bioindicators. A bioindicator is a species that serves as a representative sample of its ecosystem and a monitor of environmental change. Tiger beetles make excellent bioindicators because they are highly sensitive to changes in their environment. Thumbnail

Name:

E-mail Address:

Where will the image be used:
NSF requests users to complete an electronic information form documenting the requestor's planned use of the image. This form provides us with valuable tracking information that will help to shape the contents of the image library in the future. We do not retain any personal information (name, email address other than domain name - “.edu,” “.org,” “.com,” “.gov,” etc.) in our files. If you would prefer not to provide your name and email address, type any letter in those boxes. For information about NSF’s Privacy Policy, please see http://www.nsf.gov/home/pubinfo/privacy.htm.


Image Library HomeNSF HomeOffice of Legislative and Public Affairs Home

The National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, Virginia 22230, USA
Tel: 703-292-5111
FIRS: 800-877-8339 ~ TDD: 703-292-5090

Last Modified: Jan 31, 2001