Cicindela sylvatica

Cicindela sylvatica rubescens

Elytra slightly crippled

The forest tiger beetles or Heath Tiger Beetle ( Cicindela sylvatica) is a species in the subfamily of the tiger beetles.

The species occurs in Europe into two sub- species, Cicindela sylvatica sylvatica in central and northern Europe, Cicindela sylvatica rubescens only in Spain.

The forest tiger beetles are 14 to 19 millimeters long and are built very slim. They are shiny dark brown in color and have white spots (Pip binding) on the elytra: In the middle of each a zigzag line, depending on the rear end a round spot and the front of the body depending on an elongated spot. The head is large and clearly separated from the body. Particularly striking are the large eyes and mandibles. The antennae are filiform, the legs very long. Unlike other tiger beetles, the forest tiger beetles as the only black upper lip.

Forest tiger beetles are common in central Europe, but rather locally common. Keep on the ground or in the bushes, mainly on sandy areas, sandy clearings and in pine forests and meadows.

The diurnal animals prey on insects and spiders that they engage with the mandibles and then suck. Likely risk of the animals fly a short distance, otherwise they run around. The larvae wait in self-dug burrows, which they can not rely on passing by insects to eat around it. After the larva has pupated in the cave, slips in the fall of finished beetle. In Germany, forest tiger beetles are protected.