Almost two years ago I found the first Green tiger beetle (Cicindela campestris) to be recorded at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park (see A Surprising beetle find, May 2024), and I’ve been looking on and off since then for any more.
Ten days ago, on 21 April, I finally spotted another one, and then the very next day I found two more. Of course, this means there must have been more back in 2024, at least one male and one female, for this species still to be present at Cosmeston, and not just a one-off anomaly.
I shall continue checking the location where I found these, an area where a lot of loose limestone fragments and spoil from the adjacent former quarry was dumped when the park was first created in the 1970s. Though plants have colonised the area, much of the rock remains exposed; this holds the sun’s warmth well, which these insects seem to like.
Having seen these beetles again, and spent time watching them, I’ve become more familiar with their way of moving, which helps with spotting them. They’re almost impossible to see when still but move away when I walk the paths through the area. If you didn’t know them, you might think they were large flies, as they fly a short distance, scuttle, then stay very still. Green tiger beetles are active in the spring and summer so fingers crossed I find some more in the weeks to come.
Around this time of year, particularly on warm sunny days (!), I often come across large numbers of these fine creatures, usually scurrying along dry, well-trodden or otherwise compacted paths and trails. Sometimes this is in lightly canopied woodland or, as is quite common around here (North-West Yorkshire Dales, and the open Fells of the North Pennines), upon sheep trods. I suspect that these areas are more susceptible to warming up when the sun is out, making the beetles more active, as well as requiring less energy to navigate; hence the preponderance of them scurrying along, or ‘getting it on’ with a partner of their choice.
I think you’re right about their preference for dry paths (and, locally, for sites like coal spoil and old quarries) for the heat they provide. And how fab to see large numbers of tiger beetles going about their important business. 😉