Subject: Big Sand Tiger Beetle, Mescalero Subspecies, Cicindela formosa rutilovirescens

Location: Mescalero Sands, Chaves County, New Mexico

Stock Number: 06-24693

Comment: This almost unmarked subspecies is found only on New Mexico’s Mescalero Sands, and a tiny adjoining area in Texas.

The subspecies was first described by Rumpp in 1986 and its validity was confirmed in a study by Knisley and Hill. The Knisley and Hill study urged consideration of the subspecies for threatened or endangered designation.

This is one of five recognized subspecies of Cicindela formosa.

At most sites, population density of this subspecies is low, with a search of 30-60 minutes typically turning up only one to three individuals.