EN

Columbia River Tiger Beetle

Cicindela columbica

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Cicindela columbica faces severe habitat loss due to urban development and agricultural conversion of its specialized sandy riverbank habitats along the Columbia River system. Dam construction and flow regulation have altered natural flood cycles that maintain the open, sparsely vegetated substrates this tiger beetle requires for reproduction and hunting. Recreational activities and off-road vehicle use further degrade remaining suitable habitat patches.

Threat summary

Habitat

This tiger beetle inhabits sandy beaches, bars, and terraces along the Columbia River and its tributaries in the Pacific Northwest. It requires open, sparsely vegetated sandy substrates with specific moisture conditions maintained by natural flood cycles.

Marine coastal/supratidal· majorWetlands (inland) - Permanent rivers/streams· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

Other threatened species in CICINDELIDAE

VU

Shade-loving Tiger Beetle

Cylindera anelia

Unknown
EN

Blue-marginated Tethys Tiger Beetle

Jansenia stuprata

Unknown
VU

Large-lipped Tethys Tiger Beetle

Jansenia rostrulla

Unknown
Cobblestone Tiger BeetleVU

Cobblestone Tiger Beetle

Cicindelidia marginipennis

Unknown

Threatened in United States

VU

Lepiota echinella

Unknown
VU

Paddlefish

Polyodon spathula

Unknown
VU

Copper Shark

Carcharhinus brachyurus

Declining
EN

Lyophyllum deliberatum

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Columbia River Tiger Beetle classified as Endangered?
Columbia River Tiger Beetle is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Cicindela columbica faces severe habitat loss due to urban development and agricultural conversion of its specialized sandy riverbank habitats along the Columbia River system. Dam construction and flow regulation have altered natural flood cycles that maintain the open, sparsely vegetated substrates this tiger beetle requires for reproduction and hunting. Recreational activities and off-road vehicle use further degrade remaining suitable habitat patches.
Where does Columbia River Tiger Beetle live?
Columbia River Tiger Beetle occurs in United States. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Columbia River Tiger Beetle?
The main threats to Columbia River Tiger Beetle are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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