Tiger Beetle (Cicindela)

Cosmodela aurulenta juxtata - Tiger beetle

Tiger Beetles are known for their aggressive habits and fast running speed. Their bodies are rather colorful and reflect the sunshine, giving them a shimmery appearance. Tiger-Beetle larvae live in cylindrical burrows and capture insects that wander past with their mandibles.

                                                          High res photo here

Tiger beetle is quite common and easy to spot on the sandy banks of forest streams hunting their prey. They feed on nearly anything they can see and catch, including invertebrates that may be larger than themselves. Beetles, flies, bees, wasps, caterpillars, ants, grasshopper nymphs, and spiders are just a few of the invertebrates the tiger beetle may prey upon. But approach them slowly as tiger beetles are wary, probably because they are also preyed upon by dragonflies, robber flies, other tiger beetles, birds, and small vertebrates.