Ellipsoptera hamata

In the field, E. hamata is nearly identical to E. marginata and cannot be reliably separated by geography alone where ranges overlap along the Florida Gulf Coast. Definitive identification requires close examination of sexual characters: males lack the distinct mandibular tooth present on the right mandible of E. marginata males; females have straight elytral apices rather than the conspicuously bent-down tips characteristic of E. marginata females. The olive pronotal cast can provide a helpful field clue but should be confirmed with structural characters.

Coastal beaches, mud flats, and salt marshes. Found in intertidal and supratidal zones with sandy or saline substrates that are nearly or completely devoid of vegetation. Occurs in narrow strips of coastal scrub bordering intracoastal waterways, often in association with red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) and black mangrove (Avicennia germinans).

Gulf Coast of North America from Florida to Texas; also recorded from Mexico and Central America. In the United States, occurs from the Florida peninsula westward along the Gulf Coast. Range overlaps with E. marginata along the lower Gulf Coast of Florida.

Adults active during summer months; has been observed in July and August in Florida. Attracted to lights at night during dispersal periods.

Adults are visual predators that run down prey. Larvae are sit-and-wait predators that strike from burrow entrances.

Larvae construct burrows in sandy or firm soil, with third instar burrows approximately 5mm in diameter. Larvae observed in late summer suggest maturation during summer months. Pupation and adult emergence occur in late summer to early fall based on rearing records.

Diurnally active with fast running and strong flight capabilities; extremely wary and difficult to approach. Attracted to lights at night, where individuals perch on grass stems and vegetation. Nocturnal perching is thought to function in predator avoidance. Males exhibit mate guarding behavior. Dispersal occurs at night to reduce daytime predation risk.

Predator in coastal intertidal and salt marsh ecosystems. Both adults and larvae function as invertebrate predators. Nocturnal perching behavior may reduce predation pressure from larger nocturnal tiger beetles such as Habroscelimorpha severa and Tetracha virginica.

Subject of ecological and behavioral study; collected by entomologists for research and vouchering. Sensitivity to habitat disturbance makes it a potential indicator species for coastal ecosystem health.

• Ellipsoptera marginataSibling species with nearly identical appearance and overlapping range along Florida Gulf Coast; distinguished by male mandibular tooth (present in marginata, absent in hamata) and female elytral apices (bent down in marginata, straight in hamata); marginata has bronze pronotal cast versus olive in hamata; marginata occurs along Atlantic Coast and Gulf Coast of Florida, hamata along Gulf Coast from Florida to Texas

• tiger beetle
• coastal
• salt marsh
• predator
• nocturnal perching

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Catalogue of Life
• Where siblings mingle: Ellipsoptera marginata vs. E. hamata | Beetles In The Bush
• Tiger Beetle Nocturnal Perching | Beetles In The Bush
• (My) Introduction to Florida Tiger Beetles | Beetles In The Bush
• Anatomy of a Tiger Beetle Larva | Beetles In The Bush