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 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
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Suborder:	Adephaga
Family:	Cicindelidae
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.^[7]

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.