The occurrence of the endemic tiger beetle Cicindela (Ifasina) waterhousei in Bopath Ella, Ratnapura

Abstract: The occurrence of the endemic tiger beetle Cicindela (Ifasina) waterhousei from Bopath Ella, Ratnapura is recorded for the first time. The study reveals a population of 276 beetles from the sandy bank habitat of Bopath Ella. A site description is given stating the abiotic environmental factors of climate and soil. Morphology of the species is described using diagnostic features of the genus, and in comparison with reference specimens at the Department of National Museums, Colombo and the type specimen at the British Natural History Museum, London. According to the findings of the study, at present, the species is recorded only from Bopath Ella and is absent from its previously recorded locations at Labugama, Kitulgala, Karawanella and Avissawella. The habitat conditions in Bopath Ella with shady, riverine areas, temperatures ranging from 32 to 35 ºC and yellow brown sandy moist soil are considered as suitable for the occurrence of C. waterhousei. The presence of other tiger beetle species, Cicindela (Ifasina) willeyi and Cicindela (Ifasina) labioaenea, in the previously recorded locations of Cicindela waterhousei, that may compete for food, thermal resources, oviposition sites and larval resources, is likely to have caused C. waterhousei to become locally displaced from its previous locations.

Keywords: Cicindela (Ifasina) waterhousei, conservation, displacement, environmental factors, habitat suitability.

Doi: 10.4038/jnsfsr.v39i2.3177

J.Natn.Sci.Foundation Sri Lanka 2011 39 (2): 163-168