Biology of tiger beetles

Outlines general features of the systematics, biogeography (essentially worldwide), anatomy, genetics, ontogeny and physiology of the Cicindelidae. There follows a section on behaviour and natural history, noting the nature of the larval tunnel, larval and adult foraging (taking a wide range of arthropods, with some species scavenging), reproductive behaviour, antipredator behaviour, thermoregulation, activity periods in tropical (warm, moist seasons) and temperate (variable from spring to autumn) areas, and dispersal. A section on ecology considers physical factors (temperature and water loss being critical factors for adults), predation, competition and factor interaction. There are brief comments on beneficial and pest species. -P.J.Jarvis