# Margined Tiger Beetle (*Ellipsoptera marginata*) The Margined Tiger Beetle is a shiny, fast insect with beautiful green and black stripes. They love to run around in sandy areas and are great at catching their food! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Sandy areas ![Margined Tiger Beetle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Margined_Tiger_Beetle_-_Ellipsoptera_marginata.jpg&width=800) Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Margined_Tiger_Beetle_-_Ellipsoptera_marginata.jpg) ## Appearance The Margined Tiger Beetle has a slender, dark body, often appearing metallic green or bronze, with a distinct, pale, wavy margin running along the outer edge of its wing covers. Its large eyes and long, thin legs are prominent features. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Carabidae - **Genus:** Ellipsoptera ## Interesting facts - Its larvae are "trap-door" predators, ambushing unsuspecting insects from burrows in the sand! - Scientists study their unique hunting style to inspire new designs for fast, agile robots! - The pale margin on its dark wing covers helps it blend perfectly with sandy environments. - When running super fast, it sometimes pauses to let its vision catch up before chasing more prey! ## Special abilities - **Speedster Sprint:** Margined Tiger Beetle can run incredibly fast because of its long, powerful legs, helping it ambush tiny prey. - **Eagle Eyesight:** Margined Tiger Beetle has huge, compound eyes that help them spot tiny moving insects from far away, even while running. - **Mighty Mandibles:** Margined Tiger Beetle can grip prey with powerful, sharp, hook-like jaws that help them hold onto their wiggly meals. - **Instant Escape:** Margined Tiger Beetle can take flight in a blink, using its strong wings to quickly avoid predators or danger. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-35 mm - **Size:** 12-16 mm - **Lifespan:** 180-365 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding A tiny hunter, Margined Tiger Beetles feast on other small insects and arthropods. - **Age differences:** Larvae are ambush predators, while adults are active pursuit hunters. - **Primary Foods:** ants, small flies, spiders, other small beetles - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Silky Ant (*Formica subsericea*) — A common small ant species it actively pursues. - **Eaten by:** Green Anole (*Anolis carolinensis*) — A lizard predator that preys on many insects. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-kingbird) (*Tyrannus tyrannus*) — An insectivorous bird often found in coastal habitats. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be gentle and watch where you step; these little beetles are quick and might scurry away! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Margined Tiger Beetle? Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Margined Tiger Beetle's wingspan? 25-35 mm ### How big is Margined Tiger Beetle? 12-16 mm ### How long does Margined Tiger Beetle live? 180-365 days ### How fast can Margined Tiger Beetle fly? 15 km/h ### What does Margined Tiger Beetle eat? A tiny hunter, Margined Tiger Beetles feast on other small insects and arthropods. ### Where is Margined Tiger Beetle usually found? Sandy areas ### How does Margined Tiger Beetle hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Cape Lookout Coast Guard Station](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cape-lookout-coast-guard-station) — US · Historic Site - [St. Catherines Island](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/st-catherines-island) — Georgia, US · Natural Landmark - [Janes Island State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/janes-island-state-park) — Maryland, US · State Park - [Anastasia State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/anastasia-state-park) — Florida, US · State Park [View all places to see Margined Tiger Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/margined-tiger-beetle) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Margined Tiger Beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/margined-tiger-beetle)