Scaly Cricket vs Punctured Tiger Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Scaly Cricket Punctured Tiger Beetle
Scientific Name Pseudomogoplistes vicentae Cicindela punctulata
Order Orthoptera Coleoptera
Family Mogoplistidae Cicindelidae
Size 7-11mm 10-13 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Grasslands
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe Throughout the United States east of the Rocky Mountains
Conservation Endangered Least Concern

Scaly Cricket

A tiny wingless cricket covered in iridescent scales. It lives on shingle beaches above the high-tide line. It is extremely secretive, hiding under pebbles during the day.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the rarest insects in Britain, found on only a handful of shingle beaches.

Punctured Tiger Beetle

A small dark bronze to greenish tiger beetle with fine punctures on its elytra. It is one of the most adaptable tiger beetles, thriving in urban and disturbed habitats.

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Did You Know?

It is commonly found hunting on sun-warmed pavement in parking lots and along city sidewalks.