Field Notes on the Distribution and Life Habits 

 OF the Tiger Beetles (Cicindelidae) of Indiana 



William M. Goldsmith 



INTRODUCTION 



In the summer of 1915 I began to collect material for the preparation of 

 a paper on the comparative cytological study of the Cicindelidae. From the 

 outstart I was confronted with difficulty in obtaining the desired specimens. 

 This necessitated a close investigation in many different parts of the state. 

 While making these collections, incidental observations on the distribution 

 and various life habits became so fascinating that this line of field study was 

 extended throughout the western and north central part of the state. (See 

 map.) 



SURVEY BY COUNTIES 



Pike and Gibson Counties. The first daily collections were made from 

 Aug. 25 to Sept. 10, 1915, at a number of points in Pike and Gibson counties, 

 especially in the vicinity of Petersburg and Oakland City. 



Cicindela vulgaris, the most abundant species in these counties, were more 

 or less colonized in definite localities, usually with certain barren spots as 

 centers. For example, vast numbers swarmed the college athletic field at 

 Oakland City, and the county fair grounds at Petersburg. Radiating from 

 these points as centers, the number of beetles decreased in proportion to 

 the distance and en\dronment. After leaving one of these barren centers, 

 one might travel three or four miles wthout observing a single beetle. 



Only one specimen, a mature female, of C. formosa generoso, was captured. 

 This was found on a dusty road in Gibson county, September 15, 1915. 

 Very close search was made for other specimens but of no avail. Since this 

 is a double brooded species, I am imable to explain why this female should 

 be matixre at this late date. 



In the latter part of August, 1915, two specimens of C. purpures were 

 collected along the road-side, in western Pike county. 



Three visits to the above mentioned counties, during the spring of 1916, 

 revealed about the same distribution. The beetles, however, were less 

 abundant than in the preceeding fall. 



Daily observations were made again from Sept. 5 to 15, 1916 with especial 

 regard to the lowland regions. A few C. vulgaris were found in company with 

 vast numbers of C. repanda along the banks of the south fork of Potoka 

 river, and other small streams. 



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