tiger beetle

tiger beetle, (subfamily Cicindelinae), any of more than 2,600 species of beetles (insect order Coleoptera) named for the voracious eating habits of both larvae and adults. The larva lives in a vertical burrow, which is sometimes as much as 0.67 metre (2 feet) deep. It waits at the top of the burrow for prey, which usually consists of insects and spiders. It lunges out and grasps the prey with sicklelike mandibles (jaws). A pair of hooks on the abdomen anchor the larva, so that it cannot be pulled out of its burrow by the struggling victim. The prey is then dragged to the bottom of the burrow and eaten.

The slender, long-legged adults are about 10 to 20 mm (2/5 to 4/5 inch) long and have bulging eyes that provide a keen sense of vision. Many are iridescent blue, green, orange, or scarlet in colour. The wide range of colours is created both by pigments laid down in the exoskeleton and refractory colours created by surface characteristics of the exoskeleton. They are rapid runners and fliers that can easily capture a variety of prey. When handled, tiger beetles can inflict a painful bite with their long mandibles.

The wing covers (elytra) of many species of Cicindela, a common genus, have scroll-like marks. The six-spotted tiger beetle (C. sexguttata), which is a commonly occurring species in eastern North America, is distinguished by its shiny bluish green colour and by six white markings on its elytra.

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Although tiger beetles occur throughout the world, most species are subtropical or tropical and are usually seen on sunny paths or sandy areas. Species that inhabit sandy areas are often light-coloured and match the environment.