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Home/ Cicindelini / Ellipsoptera / Ellipsoptera sperata
partial LC species Endemic · US medium

Ellipsoptera sperata

(LeConte, 1862)

Common name: Alkali Tiger Beetle

Tribe
Cicindelini
Subtribe
Cicindelina
Bioregion
Nearctic / Neotropical
Countries
3
Body length
11 mm
Habitat
coastal-sandy
Activity
diurnal
Wings
macropterous

Distribution

USA (Atlantic and Gulf coast), Bahamas, Cuba

Coastal habitatBiome: Coastal sandy
Provinces: Atlantic and Gulf coast

Flight period

I

Active May–September (peak Jun–Jul)

Similar to: Resembles Apterodela, Cicindela, Cicindelidia
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
X
XI
XII

V,VI,VII,VIII,IX

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Taxonomic notes

Original combination: [orig. comb.] sperata inquisitor (LeConte, 1862) (LeConte, 1862)

Originally described as sperata inquisitor (LeConte, 1862); transferred to Ellipsoptera

Synonym: Cicindela sperata inquisitor (LeConte, 1862) [basionym]

Data quality: 58/100  ·  Source: GBIF; matrix-morphology  ·  Verified by V. Štrunc · Audited: 2026-05-13

Frequently asked

What is the Alkali Tiger Beetle? ▾
Among the tiger beetles of North America, Ellipsoptera stands apart as a specialist of bare sandy shores — riverbanks, lakeshores, and coastal margins where few competitors venture. The roughly 14 species of this Nearctic genus are largely nocturnal hunters, their metallic bodies flashing under mo
Where does the Alkali Tiger Beetle live? ▾
It specialises in coastal sandy habitats. distributed across the Nearctic region. with records from USA (Gulf co
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