Margined Tiger Beetle
Ellipsoptera marginata
This record describes Ellipsoptera marginata (species). Recorded family: Carabidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Dorsum brown-bronze to green-bronze. Head and pronotum dull greenish black. Elytral maculations complete, usually with basal dot and humeral and apical dots. Male shows diagnostic extra ventral tooth on right mandible, lacking in male E. hamata . Female shows peculiar deflexed elytral apices, lacking in female E. hamata .
Wikipedia reference for Ellipsoptera marginata: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellipsoptera marginata.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Adephaga
- Family
- Carabidae (Ground Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Cicindelinae
- Tribe
- Cicindelini
- Genus
- Ellipsoptera (Ellipsed-winged Tiger Beetles)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Mud flat areas (intertidal zones, back beaches, saline flats, salt marshes, beaches, and tidal mud flats)
Geographic Range
US east coast (so ME to FL)
Seasonal Activity
summer-active
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Ellipsoptera marginata (Fabricius 1775)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Ellipsoptera marginata. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Margined Tiger Beetle (6)
Photo credits: (c) Chris Rorabaugh, all rights reserved, uploaded by Chris Rorabaugh | (c) Steve Collins, all rights reserved, uploaded by Steve Collins | Contributed by Matthew Roth; Additional contributions by Chris Wirth , gretchengrammer , Ben Coulter , Nick Block , ceiseman , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Margined Tiger Beetle
What is Margined Tiger Beetle?
Margined Tiger Beetle (Ellipsoptera marginata) is a species in the family Carabidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Margined Tiger Beetle?
11-14 mm
How do you identify Margined Tiger Beetle?
Dorsum brown-bronze to green-bronze. Head and pronotum dull greenish black. Elytral maculations complete, usually with basal dot and humeral and apical dots. Male shows diagnostic extra ventral tooth on right mandible, lacking in male E. hamata . Female shows peculiar deflexed elytral apices, lacking in female E. hamata .
Where is Margined Tiger Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mud flat areas (intertidal zones, back beaches, saline flats, salt marshes, beaches, and tidal mud flats) |
| Range | US east coast (so ME to FL) |
When is Margined Tiger Beetle active?
Margined Tiger Beetle: seasonal activity - summer-active.