Ellipsoptera lepida

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

Ellipsoptera lepida
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Carabidae
Genus: Ellipsoptera
Species:
E. lepida
Binomial name
Ellipsoptera lepida
(Dejean, 1831)
Synonyms[1]
  • Cicindela lepida Dejean, 1831

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.[6]

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.

References
  1. "Ellipsoptera lepida Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  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. USGS

Further reading
  • Lobl, I.; Smetana, A., eds. (2017). Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera, Volume 1: Archostemata - Myxophaga - Adephaga. Apollo Books. ISBN 978-90-04-33029-0.
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