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]
| Ellipsoptera lepida | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Cicindelidae |
| Genus: | Ellipsoptera |
| Species: | E. lepida
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| Binomial name | |
| Ellipsoptera lepida (Dejean, 1831)
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Description
editThe 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
editIts 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
edit- ^ a b c "Ellipsoptera lepida Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
- ^ a b "Species profile - Minnesota DNR - MN Department of Natural Resources". www.dnr.state.mn.us.
- ^ "Ellipsoptera lepida species details". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
- ^ "Ellipsoptera lepida". GBIF. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
- ^ "Ellipsoptera lepida Species Information". BugGuide.net. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
- ^ 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.
- ^ USGS
Further reading
edit- Lobl, I.; Smetana, A., eds. (2017). Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera, Volume 1: Archostemata - Myxophaga - Adephaga. Apollo Books. ISBN 978-90-04-33029-0.