Common Claybank Tiger Beetle
Cicindela limbalis
Description 2
Local and perhaps extirpated on Martha's Vineyard. Known as Clay Bank Tiger Beetle, this species associates closely with steep clay slopes such as occur around at Gay Head and a few other places along the Vineyard shoreline. A spring-fall species, probably most likely in late spring and early summer. I am aware of no recent Vineyard records (though I also don't know of any recent attempts at a rigorous survey for this species). Similar to Purple Tiger Beetle, Cincidela purpurea, but the markings on the forewing are more extensive and in particular the strong middle mark is less "flat" than the corresponding marking on purpurea and extends all the way to wing edge. Also, the habitat preference of this species will help distinguish it from purpurea, which likes flatter habitat. C. limbalis is listed as "Threatened" under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act; locations for this species should not be widely shared and the species should never be disturbed or collected without appropriate permits.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Owen Strickland, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Owen Strickland
- (c) Matt Pelikan, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
