Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve occupies a small peninsula on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay and includes tidal and non-tidal wetlands, undeveloped beach and low dunes, and upland forest communities. It provides important habitat for waterfowl, songbirds, and birds of prey, and most of its shoreline is a sandy beach that supports the threatened northeaster beach tiger beetle, a federally protected insect species. This rare, agile insect, about 2/3 of an inch long, has a white to cream-colored back with dark markings and long dark legs. It depends on undisturbed beach habitat throughout its entire 2-year life cycle: females lay eggs in the sand, larvae live in burrows 4 to 10 inches deep where they capture small prey, and adults are also predatory. Adult tiger beetles can sometimes be seen skittering or making a short flight just beyond the stride of a person walking along the beach.