Ellipsoptera lepida

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Ellipsoptera lepida
Ellipsoptera lepida 1.jpg
Status TNC G3.svg
Vulnerable  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Cicindelidae
Genus: Ellipsoptera
Species:
E. lepida
Binomial name
Ellipsoptera lepida
(Dejean, 1831)
Synonyms [1]
  • Cicindela lepida Dejean, 1831

Ellipsoptera lepida, the ghost tiger beetle, or the little white tiger beetle, [2] is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. [1] [3] [4] [5] It is found in Central America and North America. [1] It is a state threatened species in Minnesota. [2] [6]

Contents

Description

The ghost tiger beetle is 9–11 mm (0.35–0.43 in) in length. The dorsal surface is white or cream, the head and thorax are green or reddish and covered with white setae, and the maculations are greatly expanded, leaving only small areas of white brown.

The species is active in the summer and it has a two-year life cycle. [7]

Habitat

Its habitat is in pure white to pale yellow dry sandy areas with sparse or no vegetation. It is commonly found on coastal shorelines or large lake shores.

Related Research Articles

<i>Ellipsoptera</i> Genus of beetles

Ellipsoptera is a genus in the beetle family Cicindelidae. There are about 13 described species in Ellipsoptera, found in North America.

Neocollyris lepida is a species in the tiger beetle family Cicindelidae. It was described by Naviaux in 2004.

Cicindela denikei, Laurentian tiger beetle is a species of tiger beetle in the Cicindelinae subfamily that can be found in Minnesota, Manitoba, and Ontario. The species have green coloured elytron and is 13–15 millimetres (0.51–0.59 in) long. It can be found in gravel and sand as well as coniferous forests where it preys on other insect species. When it comes to hunting, adults are either wait for their prey in an ambush or chase it. It larvae usually digs burrows in which they wait for their victim to come by. Once an unsuspected arthropod is in sight, it opens it jaws and eats it.

<i>Cicindela depressula</i> Species of beetle

Cicindela depressula, the dispirited tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in North America.

<i>Ellipsoptera hirtilabris</i> Species of beetle

Ellipsoptera hirtilabris, the moustached tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in North America.

<i>Ellipsoptera cuprascens</i> Species of beetle

Ellipsoptera cuprascens, the coppery tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in North America.

Cicindela waynei, known generally as the bruneau dune tiger beetle or bruneau tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found exclusively in Idaho, a state of the United States in North America.

Ellipsoptera hamata, the coastal tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in Central America and North America.

<i>Habroscelimorpha dorsalis</i> Species of beetle

Habroscelimorpha dorsalis, commonly known as the eastern beach tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in Central America and North America.

Ellipsoptera gratiosa, the whitish tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in North America.

<i>Ellipsoptera marginata</i> Species of beetle

Ellipsoptera marginata, the margined tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in the Caribbean Sea and North America.

Ellipsoptera sperata is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in Central America and North America.

<i>Cicindela ancocisconensis</i> Species of beetle

Cicindela ancocisconensis, known generally as the Appalachian tiger beetle or boulder beach tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in North America. The beetle's long, slim body are favorable for hunting their prey. This consists of identifying their prey, a long pursuit, and finally catching their prey. Their careful, precise method allows them to pursue creatures from sedentary to elusive.

Ellipsoptera blanda, the sandbar tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in North America.

<i>Ellipsoptera nevadica</i> Species of beetle

Ellipsoptera nevadica, the Nevada tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in Central America and North America.

Ellipsoptera wapleri, the white sand tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in North America.

Ellipsoptera macra, the sandy stream tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in North America.

<i>Ellipsoptera puritana</i> Species of beetle

Ellipsoptera puritana, the puritan tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in North America.

<i>Tetracha floridana</i> Species of beetle

Tetracha floridana, known generally as the Florida metallic tiger beetle or Florida big-headed tiger beetle, is a species of big-headed tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in North America.

<i>Cylindera lemniscata</i> Species of beetle

Cylindera lemniscata, the white-striped tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in Central America and North America.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Ellipsoptera lepida Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  2. 1 2 "Species profile - Minnesota DNR - MN Department of Natural Resources". www.dnr.state.mn.us.
  3. "Ellipsoptera lepida species details". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  4. "Ellipsoptera lepida". GBIF. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  5. "Ellipsoptera lepida Species Information". BugGuide.net. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  6. Duran, Daniel P.; Gough, Harlan M. (2020). "Validation of tiger beetles as distinct family (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae), review and reclassification of tribal relationships". Systematic Entomology. 45 (4). doi:10.1111/syen.12440.
  7. USGS

Further reading