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Eastern Beach Tiger Beetle

Habroscelimorpha dorsalis

The Eastern Beach Tiger Beetle is a shiny green bug with long legs that loves to run on sandy beaches. It is fast and can be seen darting around in the sun, making it a fun insect to spot!

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Eastern Beach Tiger Beetle has a metallic green or bronze body with distinctive pale, sometimes yellowish-white, margins along its wing covers. Its slender legs are also metallic, complementing its elongated head and large, prominent eyes.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderColeopteraFamilyCarabidaeGenusHabroscelimorpha
Eastern Beach Tiger Beetle
colorful trait badgeinsectivorous trait badgecoastal trait badgecarnivorous trait badge
Eastern Beach Tiger Beetle

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Baby tiger beetles, called larvae, live in sand tunnels for years, ambushing prey from below!

Some people call them “the cheetahs of the insect world” for their incredible hunting speed!

Their powerful, sickle-shaped jaws are perfect for grabbing and holding slippery insect prey.

When running its fastest, this beetle briefly goes blind because its brain can't keep up!

Special abilities

Ability

Blinding Speed

Eastern Beach Tiger Beetle can run incredibly fast because of its long, powerful legs that help it chase down prey.

Ability

Super Sight

Eastern Beach Tiger Beetle has large, bulging eyes that help it spot tiny insects and detect movement from a distance.

Ability

Sandy Camouflage

Eastern Beach Tiger Beetle has sandy-colored markings along its shell that help it blend perfectly with its environment.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
25-30 mm
Size
13-15 mm
Lifespan
730-1460 days
Flight Speed
15 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

This beetle is a fierce hunter, using its speed to catch other small insects on the beach.

Age differences: Larvae are ambush predators, living in burrows; adults actively chase prey.

Primary Foods

  • ants
  • flies
  • small crabs
  • other beetles

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

hunts

Silvery wood ant

Formica argentea

Hunts speedy ants on sandy beaches.

eaten by

Piping Plover

Charadrius melodus

A shorebird that preys on beach insects.

hunts

House Fly

Musca domestica

Actively pursues flies along the sand.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Be gentle and watch where you step, as these little beetles are quick and like to hide in the sand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Eastern Beach Tiger Beetle's wingspan?

25-30 mm

How big is Eastern Beach Tiger Beetle?

13-15 mm

How long does Eastern Beach Tiger Beetle live?

730-1460 days

How fast can Eastern Beach Tiger Beetle fly?

15 km/h

What does Eastern Beach Tiger Beetle eat?

This beetle is a fierce hunter, using its speed to catch other small insects on the beach.

Where is Eastern Beach Tiger Beetle usually found?

Coastal areas

How does Eastern Beach Tiger Beetle hunt?

Pursuit

How many legs does Eastern Beach Tiger Beetle have?

6

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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