Life Cycle
Little is known about the life cycle of the Salt Creek tiger beetle. Adults emerge around June 1 and disappear five or six weeks later; populations peak about two weeks after the beetles' initial emergence. After mating, the beetles lay eggs in sloping, muddy, saline soil.
Upon hatching, the larva constructs a burrow. The larva is a voracious feeder, capturing prey that wanders too close to the burrow. During the larval stage, the beetle will molt multiple times (the precise number is unknown, but most other tiger beetles have three larval stages). If a three-stage cycle does exist, it is likely that the Salt Creek tiger beetle spends over a year in the third larval stage.
The larva prepares for its pupation by digging a side chamber and sealing the burrow entrance.
Read more about this topic: Salt Creek Tiger Beetle
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