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Thursday, September 21, 2023

Pale beauty -- Part 2

 
Well, it looks like I'm going to run out of time tonight for writing more about Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetles (Habroscelimorpha dorsalis).  But I was able to sort through some photos, so here's a selection of my favorites from yesterday (photos taken on 20 September 2023).
 
Things to look for:
- very long legs
- mostly pale elytra (wing covers)
- bronze/green iridescence (especially on the thorax and legs)
- bright white labrum (the "lip" area)
- white mandibles with black tips 
- gray/purplish eyes (depending on the light and the angle)

We observed these beetles on dry sand (first and last photos), but also on wet sand/mud.  It was fun to see how their pale wing covers made them look like little bits of shell.  [You can click on the images for larger and sharper versions.]

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
And here's a nice one from Eric:
 

If you'd like to learn more about this species, check out this fact sheet from the Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program.

 

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