Cicindela albissima
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicindela_albissima
Overview
Cicindela albissima, commonly called the Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle is a species of tiger beetle endemic to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in southern Utah, United States. It was originally described by Rumpp in 1962 as the subspecies Cicindela limbata albissima, but mitochondrial DNA, along with the species' morphological and geographical distinctiveness, have shown that it is a separate species. C.
albissima can be distinguished from other Cicindela species by its restricted range and lack of pigmentation on its elytra.
Cicindela albissima faces severe threats from coastal development and habitat modification along its restricted range on coral sand beaches. Rising sea levels and increased storm intensity associated with climate change pose additional risks to its low-lying coastal habitat. Human recreational activities and vehicle traffic on beaches further degrade the specialized sandy substrates this tiger beetle requires for reproduction and larval development.
Habitat
This critically endangered tiger beetle inhabits coral sand beaches and coastal dunes in the Coral Triangle region. It requires specific sandy substrates with particular grain size and moisture content for successful larval development and adult foraging.
