Saturday 15 June
Tiger beetle (Lophyra histrio)

Tiger beetle fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
- Print factsheet
Tiger beetle description
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Coleoptera |
| Family | Carabidae |
| Genus | Lophyra (1) |
Like many other species of tiger beetle, the eye-catching Lophyra histrio has attractive markings and a striking metallic colouration (3). Its body is black, green and ivory, with darker antler-like marking which contrast with the ivory background of the elytra (3). Two other Lophyra species (Lophyra catena and Lophyra cancellata) share a similar pattern of markings but lack the dark red top leg section of Lophyra histrio (3).
Tiger beetles are generally most easily recognised by their long, thin running legs and streamlined bodies (2). Coupled with their prominent eyes and long, curved mandibles, these features make tiger beetles into fearsome predators (2).
- Size
- Length: 5 - 40 mm (2)
Tiger beetle biology
This diurnal insect prefers bright sunny conditions and is often found alongside two other species of tiger beetle, Lophyra fischeri and Lophyra diania (3). Tiger beetles are fearsome predators and rely on fast bursts of speed and excellent eyesight in order to chase down prey (2). Lophyra histrio is known to prey on a variety of invertebrates including flies and ants (3).
Although there is no specific information on the reproductive behaviour of Lophyra histrio, most female tiger beetles dig a number of burrows and lay a single egg in each burrow after mating (4). The egg develops into a larva that is grub-like in appearance with a large head and fearsome mandibles. Tiger beetle larvae are carnivorous, and feed by positioning themselves at the top of their narrow burrows and ambushing small invertebrate prey (2).
TopTiger beetle range
Lophyra histriohas been recorded in the Arabian peninsula, in Oman and the United Arab Emirates. It is also known from Pakistan and Iran (3).
TopTiger beetle habitat
Lophyra histriois reported to prefer flat rocky surfaces at the edge of flowing water (3). It is also known to occur in low sand dunes and gardens (3).
TopTiger beetle status
This species has yet to be classified by the IUCN.
TopTiger beetle threats
There are currently no known threats facing Lophyra histrio.
TopTiger beetle conservation
Although Lophyra histriohas not yet been classified by the IUCN, tiger beetles in general are drawing attention from conservationists due to their decline in numbers, with many protected under national biodiversity laws (5) (6).
TopFind out more
For more information on conservation in the United Arab Emirates, see:
-
The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi:
http://www.ead.ae/en/
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Glossary
- Carnivorous
- Feeding on flesh.
- Diurnal
- Active during the day.
- Elytra
- In beetles and earwigs, the hard forewings. They are held aloft when the insect flies, and are often coloured or patterned.
- Invertebrates
- Animals with no backbone, such as insects, crustaceans, worms, molluscs, spiders, cnidarians (jellyfish, corals, sea anemones) and echinoderms.
- Larva
- Stage in an animal’s lifecycle after it hatches from the egg. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but usually are unable to reproduce.
- Mandibles
- The pair of mouthparts most commonly used for seizing and cutting food, common to the centipedes, millipedes and insects.
References
-
ZipcodeZoo (July, 2011)
http://www.zipcodezoo.com/ - Pearson, D.L. and Vogler, A.P. (2001) Tiger Beetles: The Evolution, Ecology, and Diversity of the Cicindelids. Cornell University Press, New York.
- Gillett, M. (1995) An annotated and illustrated checklist of Tiger Beetles recorded from the Al Ain/Buraimi region of Eastern Arabia (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae). Tribulus, 5: 13-17.
- Anderson, R. et al. (2003) Insects and Spiders of the World. Marshall Cavendish, New york.
- Maudsley, J.R. (2009) Taxonomy, ecology, and phylogeny of species of Lophyra Motschulsky 1859, subgenus Eriolophyra Rivalier 1948 (Coleoptera Cicindelidae). Tropical Zoology, 22: 57-70.
-
IUCN Red List (July, 2011)
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
More »Related species
This species is featured in:
This species is featured in Jewels of the UAE, which showcases biodiversity found in the United Arab Emirates in association with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi.
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