Cicindela Cicindela sexguttata Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Coleoptera Suborder: Adephaga Family: Cicindelidae

Genus Abroscelis Callytron Calochroa Cicindela Cicindelidia Cicindelina Cosmodela Ctenostoma Derocrania Eugrapha Habrodera Hypaetha Lophyra Lophyridia Mantichora Megacephala Myriochile Ophryodera Oxycheila Peridexia Pogonostoma Pseudoxycheila Tetracha Therates Tricondyla

 

The tiger beetles (Cicindelidae) are members of a large group of beetles known for their carnivorous habits. Pound for pound (or in this case: gram for gram), tiger beetles are considered the shark of the insect world. They can take off within the blink of an eye and can run at a speed of 5 mph. Many insect collectors have had bout of frustration whenever they were in hot pursuit of these insects. Cicindelidae are considered as part of the subfamily Carabidae (ground beetles).
 
Tiger beetles in the genus Manticora are the largest in the subfamily and are mostly found in the deserts of South Africa. The size of their mandibles makes this a favorite in collector’s boxes.