Cicindela tranquebarica Herbst
Cicindela tranquebarica Herbst Distribution in North Dakota
Identification: Medium body size, about 13 to 15 mm in length. Dorsal surfaces of head, prothorax, and elytra dark brown. Elytral markings pale. Humeral lunule complete or very rarely broken, long and oblique. Middle band well-developed. Apical lunule complete. Marginal line absent or only weakly developed, not connected to the lunules. Labrum tridentate. Clypeus glabrous. Frons with erect setae. Genae usually glabrous, but may have sparse setae. Antennal scape with four sensory setae and several accessory setae.
Remarks: North Dakota specimens appear to belong to the subspecies C. tranquebarica kirbyi LeConte, but the distinction between this subspecies and the nominate subspecies, C. tranquebarica tranquebarica Herbst is based on the thickness of the elytral maculations and needs further study. C. tranquebarica appears somewhat similar to C. repanda and C. duodecimguttata, but can readily be separated from these by the long oblique humeral lunule and by the lack of setae on the genae, although some individuals do possess sparse genal setae.
Habitat: Sparsely vegetated sandy, loamy or clay soils.
North Dakota Distribution: Statewide.
Season: A spring/fall species. Adults are most active in late April and May, and again from mid-August through September.