Current status
The dune tiger beetle is a coastal species, occurring on dunes and sandy beaches and in tidal refuse. It runs and flies readily in search of insect prey. It has an annual life cycle, breeding in spring and summer, with larvae in burrows in hard packed sand. The winter is spent as pupae or teneral adults in the burrows.
The dune tiger beetle now occurs mainly on each side of the Bristol Channel, but also in north-west Wales, Kent and Norfolk. There are earlier records this century from Lincolnshire, Hampshire and Cornwall. In Europe it is widespread and not always restricted to the coast.
In Great Britain this species is classified as Nationally Scarce.
Current factors causing loss or decline
Coastal development, especially for tourism.
Excessive disturbance from recreational use.
Erosion of dunes at Titchwell.
Current action
Most extant sites are within SSSIs or NNRs.
The dune tiger beetle occurs on the Titchwell RSPB reserve where the distribution and numbers of adults was monitored from 1996 to 1998.
Objectives for this species
Maintain the range of the dune tiger beetle.
Proposed action
Monitoring only. The requirements of the species should be taken into account in the delivery of the action plan for
coastal sand dunes.
Local implementation
The following LBAPs are working on Cicindela maritima:
Publication details
Originally published in: UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume VI: Terrestrial and freshwater species and habitats (October 1999, Tranche 2, Vol VI, p61)
Related links
ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to this species