Tiger Beetles of South Dakota

Doug Backlund, Pierre, S.D.
Nick Backlund, Pierre, S.D.
Scott Weins, Spearfish, S.D.
Gary Marrone, Ft. Pierre, S.D.

Cicindela purpurea in copula
photo by Scott Weins

We have been collecting tiger beetles in South Dakota for several years. A comparison of our findings to historical records has shown that several species are more widely distributed than previously known. Click here to view a database table of South Dakota tiger beetle records. An article on new records of tiger beetles in South Dakota was published in the journal Cicindela. Twenty-four species of tiger beetles are known to occur in South Dakota. The following links will take you to species accounts and range maps.

Serious collectors of tiger beetles in South Dakota will want to obtain this article:

Carter, M. R. 1989. The Biology and Ecology of Tiger Beetles (Coleoptera:Cicindelidae) of Nebraska. Trans. Nebraska Acad. Sci. 17: 1-18.

This article has an excellent key to all of the tiger beetle species that occur in South Dakota. There is one error in the key, at couplet 16 the first choice sends the reader to couplet 7, it should be 17.

Another excellent key that works well for South Dakota tiger beetles is:

Kippenhan, M. G. 1994. The Tiger Beetles (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) of Colorado. Trans. Amer. Entomological Society 120 No. 1 pp. 1-86.

Kippenhan's key provides a lot of important information on natural history and taxonomy of the species.

There are a number of books available on tiger beetles. One of the most useful books is:

Tiger Beetles: The Evolution, Ecology, and Diversity of the Cicindelids. David L. Pearson and Alfried P. Vogler. 2001. Cornell University Press.

Bioquip is an entomological supply house that provides a fine selection of collecting equipment, displays, and general entomology supplies.

More links to tiger beetles:

High Plains Tiger Beetle

Tiger Beetles of Nebraska

Range Maps for North American Tiger Beetles

Tiger Beetles of the United States

Send a message with comments or questions.
We especially would like to hear from other South Dakota tiger beetle collectors!

Home