southern Africa
Fine-art photographic collection
Dromica (Pseudodromica) clathrata
A flightless tiger beetle with a cage-like network engraved across its back.
About this species
Dromica (Pseudodromica) clathrataKlug, 1834
Information reviewed15 July 2026
Dromica clathrata is a southern African running tiger beetle whose elytra carry a strongly reticulated pattern. The animal relies on terrestrial speed rather than flight and produces equally specialised burrowing larvae.
Taxonomy
Animalia · Arthropoda · Insecta · Coleoptera · Carabidae · Dromica
Accepted taxon. · checked 2026-07-15
southern AfricaBroad documented range and selected reference localities — not a complete occurrence map.
Open ground in dry southern African landscapes.
Diurnal ground-running predator.
Predatory on small arthropods.
What makes this species remarkable?
The name clathrata means latticed, matching the network of raised and depressed lines that makes the elytra resemble miniature cagework.
Loss of effective flight removes the weight and volume demands of large wings, allowing a more rigid abdomen and extreme investment in running legs.
Its larva anchors in a vertical burrow with hooked abdominal structures, an immobile ambush stage produced by one of the fastest adult body plans.