Beetles of North Carolina

Family (Alpha):
Scientific Name: Common Name:

View	CARABIDAE Members:	Members of Ellipsoptera:	35 NC Records
Ellipsoptera marginata - Margined Tiger Beetle

Compare with: Sandbar Tiger Beetle
Identification Tips: Move the cursor over the image, or tap the image if using a mobile device, to reveal ID Tips.
Note: ID Tips follow Pearson et al., 2015

Photo: Mark Shields

Taxonomy

Family: CARABIDAE	Subfamily: Cicindelinae	Subgenus: Ellipsoptera	Synonym: Cicindela marginata
Comments: One of thirteen species in this genus, all of which occur in North America north of Mexico with a few also extending southward (Pearson et al., 2015); four have been recorded in North Carolina.
Species Status: No subspecies have been described (Pearson et al., 2015)

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions: Evans (2014)

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: High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft. Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft. Piedmont (Pd) Coastal Plain (CP) Click on graph to enlarge

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: This species is associated with open, tidewater habitats, especially on substrates where mud and detritus are mixed with sand. Knisley and Schultz (1996) specifically list salt marshes, saline flats, back beaches, and tidal mud flats. However, sandy areas are also used to some extent, where this species often co-occurs with hirticollis, trifasciata, and dorsalis. We also have records from the shorelines of depression ponds located just inland from the coast. Larval burrows are found a few meters back from the high tide line (Pearson et al., 2015).

See also Habitat Account for General Tidewater Shorelines and Flats

Diet: Predacious, presumably feeding on a wide variety of small insects and other arthropods

Observation Methods: This species is well-camouflaged, its dull greenish coloration blending in against its usually dark substrates. Knisley and Schultz (1997) note that it is usually solitary and difficult to approach and catch. They may also be somewhat nocturnal and are sometimes found at lights; one fairly large sample was obtained from a moth trap set out in a stand of maritime forest on a barrier island.

Abundance/Frequency: Occurs in low densities (Knisely and Schultz, 1997)

Adult Phenology:

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status: [W3]

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 [S2S4]

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 preserves

Comments: This species has been extirpated from parts of New England, likely due to intensive coastal development (G.A. Dunn, cited by Knisley and Schultz, 1997). We have few records in North Carolina, and more information is needed on its distribution, habitat preferences, and population trends before an accurate estimate can be made of its conservation status in this state.

Photo Gallery for Ellipsoptera marginata - Margined Tiger Beetle
	Recorded by: R. Newman Carteret Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Sarah Toner Dare Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Sarah Toner Dare Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Sarah Toner Dare Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman Carteret Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Shields Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman Carteret Co. Comment:	Recorded by: R. Newman Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman Carteret Co. Comment:	Recorded by: R. Newman Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman Carteret Co. Comment:	Recorded by: R. Newman Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Shields Dare Co. Comment:	Recorded by: R. Newman Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Shields Carteret Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Shields Pender Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Shields Brunswick Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Shields Onslow Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Shields Onslow Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Shields Dare Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Shields Onslow Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Hunter Phillips, Cathy Songer Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Newman,Randy Carteret Co. Comment:

Ellipsoptera marginata - Margined Tiger Beetle

Photo Gallery for Ellipsoptera marginata - Margined Tiger Beetle