Cicindela theatina, Great Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle
- pollinators1
- Oct 15
- 1 min read
Updated: Nov 11
Great Sand Dunes Tiger Beetles (Cicindela theatina), named for their distinctive coloring and predatory behaviors, are found only in Colorado's Great Sand Dunes National Park. This unique habitat supports over 1000 species of arthropods (insects, spiders, centipedes, millipedes), including several other species of insects that are found nowhere else in the world! Adult Tiger Beetles actively hunt other insects using their long legs and powerful jaws; while the buried larvae are sedentary and ambush smaller insects like ants moving across the surface of the sand.
Adults are active during the day in August, and despite facing extreme temperature variations on the surface of the dunes, they have developed several behaviors that help them maintain optimal body temperatures for hunting and foraging.
In 2022, People & Pollinators Action Network (PPAN) championed CO Senate Bill 22-199 at the legislature, in which the CO Department of Natural Resources commissioned a study on our state's native pollinating insects.
Insects, often underestimated, play a remarkable role in our state's landscapes. Not only are they cool, but they are also vital contributors to essential ecosystem services. From pollination to waste decomposition, insects support Colorado's diverse landscapes, from the mountains to the rivers.
Join us as we delve into the
world of this fascinating wildlife and learn about the Colorado Native Pollinating Insects Study (2024) report!
