Family: Carabidae
Subfamily: Cicindelinae
Length: 12-15 mm
As both the common and scientific names say, this species has twelve spots, as seen in the photo above. Two spots that aren't readily seen in the photo are on the "shoulder" at the front of each elytron. Occasionally an individual will have two of the spots joined on each elytron.
Cicindela duodecimguttata overwinters both as adults and as larvae. The life cycle takes two years. The larval burrows are about 8 cm deep and are sometimes found in groups along the water's edge near where adults are hunting. Adults not only hunt, but scavenge on dead insects.
Cicindela duodecimguttata are often found in groups along stream margins, where they may be joined by groups of another common species, Cicindela repanda.
Like a number of other species of Tiger Beetle, the Twelve-spotted is most often seen in the adult form early and late in the season. In West Virginia, the adults are seldom seen in July.
Thomas J. Allen and Robert E. Acciavatti have studied West Virginia Tiger Beetles in some detail, and they believe this species can probably be found in all fifty-five counties.
Insects of West Virginia
