Tiger beetle
The tiger beetles are a large group of beetles in the family Carabidae. About 2,600 species and subspecies are known, with the richest diversity in the Oriental (Indo-Malayan) region, followed by the Neotropics.[1]
All tiger beetles are predators. They are known for their aggressive predatory habits and running speed. The fastest species of tiger beetle can run at a speed of 9 km/h (5.6 mph), which, relative to its body length, is about 22 times the speed of an Olympic sprinter,[2] the equivalent of a human running at 480 miles per hour (770 km/h).
Tiger beetles live everywhere in the world except the Antarctic and Tasmania. They have powerful jaws, called mandibles, which they use to hold and crush their prey.[3] They have long legs, big eyes, and a wide head. All are colourful. Their elytra are usually bright and have bold markings.
Tiger Beetle Media
Tiger beetle larva repairing its shaft
Tiger beetle larvae attempting to catch prey
Museum specimen of Manticora sp. from Mozambique
The rare Salt Creek tiger beetle, Cicindela nevadica lincolniana
Most tiger beetles run on the ground, living on sand and lake shores.
A specimen in Gunung Belumut Recreational Forest, Malaysia
References
- ↑ Pearson D.L. & F. Cassola 2005
- ↑ Cornell News, Jan. 16, 1998 When tiger beetles chase prey at high speeds they go blind temporarily, Cornell entomologists learn
- ↑ Cole, Joanne; Bruce Degen (2001). Magic School Bus, Insect Invaders. United States of America: Scholastic Inc. p. 21. ISBN 0-439-31432-1.