Cicindela cursitans is a tiny tiger beetle. This species is flightless and easily captured but can be difficult to find. We have found it to be rare to common along the larger rivers of western South Dakota, where it seems to occur in sandy areas. It can be found hiding under small pieces of driftwood or in sparse vegetation in the heat of the day but becomes more active in the evening and morning. Once alerted C. cursitans tends to run rapidly into the open. This is a summer species. More collecting is needed to determine the actual range and habitat preferences of this species. In the summer of 2002 we found this species common on the White River near Interior.
Collection sites of Cicindela cursitans in South Dakota