Taxonomy
Family: CARABIDAE
Subfamily: CicindelinaeSubgenus: HabroscelimorphaSynonym: Cicindela dorsalis Comments: The sole member of this genus that occurs in North America north of Mexico (Pearson et al., 2015)Species Status: Five subspecies have been described, including two along the Atlantic Coast, of which only H. dorsalis media has been recorded in North Carolina (Pearson et al.,2015). Although the two Atlantic forms differ in terms of size, recent DNA analysis indicates that they may not be genetically distinct (Pearson et al., 2015). H. d. dorsalis is federally listed as Threatened, but H. d. media is also strongly declining due to the same causes: coastal development and intensive recreational uses of beaches.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Evans (2014; shows subspecies dorsalis) Online Resources: BugGuide , Wikipedia , GBIF iNaturalist Technical Description, Adults/Nymphs: Knisley and Schultz (1997); Pearson et al. (2015)
Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Flight Dates: Click on graph to enlarge
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: This species has one of the most restricted habitat needs of any of our Tiger Beetles (equaled or possibly exceeded only by Ellipsoptera lepida): it is entirely restricted to dyanamic ocean beaches, ocean inlets, or -- in some areas but not recorded in North Carolina -- wide beaches that occur on bays. Larvae burrow in sands between the high tide line to the base of the dunes; beaches that are too narrow to provide a buffer between wave action and the burrows are unsuitable (Knisley and Schultz, 1997).
Diet: Predacious, feeding on small insects and amphipods; may also scavenge to some extent (Knisley and Schultz, 1997)Observation Methods: This species is very well camouflaged, its color and pattern blending in very effectively particularly with shell hash. Nonetheless, its active behavior, including running and flying make its presence easy to detect.Abundance/Frequency: Adult Phenology:
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status: [W3]Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G3G4 S2S3 State Protection: As with other North Carolina insects, no state laws provide them any protection. Permits must be obtained, however, to collect them in State Parks and other nature preservesComments: Although this subspecies has not yet shown the dramatic declines seen in the now federally-listed nominate subspecies, it has nonetheless been similarly affected by beach development and intensive recreational uses. Knisley and Schultz (1997) reported that has become uncommon along the Outer Banks in North Carolina, where there heavy vehicular use and human traffic; it also appears to be completely extirpated at many other sites within its range where it once was found. In a status survey conducted for a rare barrier island butterfly, Hall noted populations of H. dorsalis primarily on undeveloped islands with no vehicular access and at inlets where swimming, at least, was restricted due to strong currents. None were seen in areas with heavy vehicular use, such as the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge, or along beaches fronting rows of beachfront development. Sea level rise and shoreline erosion are likely to make this situation even worse, as would shoreline hardening used to protect developments but not natural beach habitats. At the very least, this species should be closely monitored to determine whether it merits designation as Significantly Rare within North Carolina.
Photo Gallery for Habroscelimorpha dorsalis - Eastern Beach Tiger Beetle Recorded by: R. Newman Recorded by: Mark Shields Recorded by: R. Newman Recorded by: R. Newman Recorded by: R. Newman Recorded by: Mark Shields Recorded by: Mark Shields Recorded by: Morgan Freese Recorded by: Mark Shields Recorded by: Mark Shields Recorded by: Mark Shields Recorded by: Mark Shields Recorded by: Steve Hall, Dee Stuckey, and Savannah Hall Recorded by: Dorothy E. Pugh Recorded by: Newman, Randy Recorded by: Newman, Randy Recorded by: Newman, Randy
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