Green Tiger Beetle
Cicindela campestris
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Green Tiger Beetle is the more widespread cousin of the Northern Dune Tiger Beetle — brilliant metallic green with cream spots on the elytra. It prefers heathland paths and fixed dune areas rather than the mobile fore-dune habitat of the Northern Dune Tiger Beetle. Both species are fast, iridescent predators that hunt invertebrates on the surface. The green metallic colour is vivid in sunlight.
At a Glance
| Order | Coleoptera |
| Family | Carabidae |
| Habitat | Heathland path · Sandy fixed dune · Open heath |
| Diet | Other invertebrates — pursues prey on path surfaces |
| UK population | Widespread on heathland and sandy paths in England |
| Sefton Coast | Present on heathland paths and fixed dune areas at Ainsdale |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Sandy paths and heathland on the Sefton Coast. Less restricted to mobile dune than the Northern Dune Tiger Beetle.
Identification
Medium beetle. Brilliant metallic green elytra with cream spots. Long legs, prominent eyes, massive mandibles. Fast on sandy paths. Flies short distances when approached.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Walk heathland paths at Ainsdale in summer. Look for fast-running green beetles. Move slowly and stop when they turn to face you.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species has a favourable conservation status in the UK and remains an important part of Sefton Coast biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tell Green Tiger Beetle from Northern Dune Tiger Beetle?
Colour is the primary difference. Green Tiger Beetle is brilliant metallic green; Northern Dune Tiger Beetle is reddish-brown with pale markings. Habitat also helps — Green Tiger Beetle is found on heathland paths and fixed dune areas; Northern Dune Tiger Beetle is restricted to mobile fore-dunes and bare sand closest to the beach.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.