Northern dune tiger beetle
This fast-running beetle needs sand warmed to around 28 degrees Celsius before it will hunt, sprinting after prey at speeds close to 2.5 metres per second.
| Where | Bare, open coastal sand dunes |
|---|---|
| Size | 12 to 20 mm body length |
| When | March to September |
The Northern dune tiger beetle is a medium to large ground beetle, roughly 12 to 20 mm long, with coppery brown wing cases marked by pale cream bands and a metallic green sheen visible underneath and on the legs.
Adults hunt small insects on open, sun-warmed sand, while the larvae live for up to two years in vertical burrows dug into bare ground, ambushing passing prey and dragging it underground to feed.
Traits
Habitat
Coast
Colour
Brown, Metallic
Active
Day
To people
Can deliver a sharp nip with its mandibles if picked up, but poses no lasting harm to people.
Activity through the year
Often confused with
Similar in habits and speed but smaller at 12 to 15 mm, with bright green wing cases dotted with cream spots rather than the coppery brown tones of the Northern dune tiger beetle.
Questions
Is the Northern dune tiger beetle dangerous to people?
Can deliver a sharp nip with its mandibles if picked up, but poses no lasting harm to people.
When can you see the Northern dune tiger beetle?
The Northern dune tiger beetle can be seen from March to September, by day.
Plate retouched from a photo by Michel Langeveld, CC BY‑SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons Licence
The plate on this page is shared under the same licence as its source, CC BY-SA.
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Beetles›Ground beetles›Cicindela
Last updated 2026-09-26. Every entry is checked against published sources.