Wednesday 4 August 2010

Wednesday Wildlife - Tiger Beetles


The tiger beetle is so called for its speed and ferocity. With a following wind it can reach a speed of 5 m.p.h. which, if scaled up, makes it one of the fastest animals on earth. If disturbed enough to fly they make fast, buzzing short flights.


There are five British species of tiger beetle of which the Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela campestris) is by far the most common.


Adults are a beautiful iridescent green in colour with yellowish spots on the elytra or wing cases.


If you pick one up be careful – its secateur like jaws can give quite a sharp nip.

2 comments:

  1. What a glorious shade of green! Nature really is marvelous if we only stop to look.
    Canadian Chickadee

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is a beautiful beetle, really lovely

    ReplyDelete

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