A Field Guide to the Tiger Beetles of the United States and Canada: Identification, Natural History, and Distribution of the Cicindelidae [Paperback]

David L. Pearson (Author), C. Barry Knisley (Author), Charles J. Kazilek (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195181565 | ISBN-13: 978-0195181562 | Publication Date: 2006

This color illustrated field and natural history guide treats all 107 known tiger beetle species found in North America above the Mexican border. Tiger beetles are among the most widely found and popular families of insects worldwide. Enabling amateur naturalists and professionals to use two identification methods--comparison of colored pictures to live or mounted specimens, and use of illustrated dichotomous keys--full biological accounts emphasize points for identification, behaviors, and habitats. Distribution maps show where various species and subspecies can be found. The authors promote a new and exciting activity of insect watching as an alternative or supplement to collecting (the general feeling among "butterfliers" and dragonfly and damselfly enthusiasts). Communicating primarily through the un-refereed journal Cincindela, (Tiger Beetler) specialists themselves prefer the term, "cicindelophiles." They represent an ardent sublet of the growing number of serious amateur naturalists who invest in outdoor activities seeking and identifying birds, butterflies, dragonflies, flowering plants, and various other forms of life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Beyond its value in providing a comprehensive treatment of the tiger beetles found in North America, this book also serves as an example of the opportunities available for professional entomologists to broaden and increase interest in insect groups by members of the general public."--The Coleopterists Bulletin

"The book exhibits the highest standards for field guides and should do much to further the authors' aim of raising the profile of tiger beetles as an important flagship insect group in North America. It is well produced and excellent value."--Journal of Insect Conservation

"The book educates as well as entertains. ... Just reviewing this book stimulated my interest in tiger beetles: I bet your reaction will be the same."--Arizona Wildlife Views

"Valuable teaching reference and a 'pocket' taxonomic tool for the field ecological entomologist as well as the keen naturalist."--The Author Journal Compilation

"Overall, this is a highly anticipated book that lives up to its hype."--Entomological Society of America

About the Author

David L. Pearson is at Arizona State University. C. Barry Knisley is at Randolph-Macon College.

Product Details

• Paperback: 227 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195181565
• ISBN-13: 978-0195181562
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #931,536 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book I Wish I Had Years ago!, February 8, 2006

By 

David B Richman (Mesilla Park, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Field Guide to the Tiger Beetles of the United States and Canada: Identification, Natural History, and Distribution of the Cicindelidae (Paperback)

When I was college student I was also a avid tiger beetle collector. I lived then in southern Arizona and this is about as close as you can get to heaven for tiger beetles. However the guides available were basically technical treatments on the genera. Most of my identifications were made using a key to the genera and a monograph of the genus Cicindela in Mexico. Needless to say these were illustrated in black and white and did not come close to rendering the beetles as they were in life.

David Pearson, et al. have produced the one book that I would have given just about anything to have owned at the time in "A Field Guide to the Tiger Beetles of the United States and Canada: Identification, Natural History, and Distribution of the Cicindelidae." This is a beautiful and indispensable book for any coleopterist and especially those who are involved with tiger beetles.


From the giant Amblycheila to the tiny Cicindela debilis, all of the North American tiger beetles north of Mexico are here. All are illustrated in color as well! The range maps, sections on natural history, identification, conservation and study of tiger beetles are just what the beetle enthusiast needs to make the interest as pleasurable as possible. I do not collect tiger beetles any more except to add to our university collection. But now, with this book, a modern closeup binocular or monocular, a camera, an aerial net and a magnifying lens the amateur or professional coleopterist has a real kit for enjoying and learning about these fascinating denizens of woodland pathways, sand dunes and wetland shores. I had the last three, but not the first two. I certainly envy the modern student of these beetles!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent field guide to N. American tiger beetles, August 5, 2006

By 

Brad Wendt "blue beetle" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Field Guide to the Tiger Beetles of the United States and Canada: Identification, Natural History, and Distribution of the Cicindelidae (Paperback)

As an entomologist, I have seen and used many a field guide. This guide is one of the best. Color plates are not cluttered, and each has a scale bar. Distribution maps are crisp and easy to understand. Keys are excellent, with plenty of illustrations. Checklist is included, and the sections on ecology/behavior and conservation are well done. This is a must-buy for any Cicindelid enthusiast!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely excellent resource, February 4, 2006

By 

Mantichora "Gareth" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Field Guide to the Tiger Beetles of the United States and Canada: Identification, Natural History, and Distribution of the Cicindelidae (Paperback)

This book is a godsend for the casual tiger beetle enthusiast. The key is easy to understand, and the individual species accounts are superb. Tons and tons of truly useful information for the collector, and for the conservationist.

The only problem I have with the book is the use of common names while discussing each species. As most people that have been into tigers for awhile use the scientific names exclusively, it will be a problem when it says 'The Boreal Long-Lipped Tiger Beetle has three distinct maculations, versus the Alpine Long-Lipped Tiger Beetle, which only has parts of a marginal band." You'll find yourself flipping back and forth between the page youre reading and the 'index' which explains that the Boreal is actually C. longilabris and the Alpine is C. nebraskana, or whatever.

Dont let that dissaude you from buying this book, however. I have never, ever found a more thoroughly enjoyable and useful resource on Nearctic tigers, including Werner's Kafer der Welt volumes.