tiger beetle

any of numerous active, usually brightly colored beetles, of the family Cicindelidae, that prey on other insects.

[1820-30]

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Any of some 2,000 species (family Cicindelidae) of voracious beetles, found worldwide but mostly in the tropics and subtropics.

The larva waits at the top of its burrow (up to 2 ft, or 0.7 m, deep) and grasps approaching insect prey with sicklelike jaws. Hooks on the abdomen anchor it so that the struggling victim cannot pull away, and the prey is dragged into the burrow and eaten. The slender, long-legged adults, less than an inch (25 mm) long, have long jaws that can inflict a painful bite. Many are iridescent blue, green, orange, or scarlet.

Tiger beetle (Cicindela).

William E. Ferguson

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▪ insect

      any of about 2,000 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 m (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.

      Although tiger beetles occur throughout the world, most species are subtropical or tropical and are usually seen on sunny paths or sandy areas. The wing covers (elytra) of many species of Cicindela, a common genus, have scroll-like marks. Species that inhabit sandy areas are often light-coloured and match the environment.

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