# Bronzed Tiger Beetle (*Cicindela repanda*) The Bronzed Tiger Beetle is a shiny, fast bug that loves to run around on the ground. Its beautiful bronze color helps it blend in with the dirt and grass. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 19 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Bronzed Tiger Beetle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cicindela-repanda-002.jpg&width=800) Photo: Mdf, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cicindela-repanda-002.jpg) ## Appearance The Bronzed Tiger Beetle is a slender, metallic-colored insect, often appearing iridescent bronze, coppery, or greenish. It has large, prominent eyes and long, thin legs, with a distinct pale, wavy band across its wing covers that sets it apart. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Carabidae - **Genus:** Cicindela ## Interesting facts - The shimmering colors on their shell aren't painted; they're created by light bouncing off tiny structures! - Their larvae are "trap-door hunters," waiting in burrows to ambush prey! - They have huge, scissor-like jaws that are incredibly strong for grabbing other bugs! - When running top speed, their brains can't keep up, making them briefly "blind"! ## Special abilities - **Lightning-Fast Runner:** Bronzed Tiger Beetle can sprint at incredible speeds because of its long, powerful legs that help it chase down prey. - **Super Sharp Vision:** Bronzed Tiger Beetle has large, keen eyes that help them detect tiny insects from a distance and avoid predators. - **Rapid Escape Flight:** Bronzed Tiger Beetle can quickly take to the air using powerful wings to evade danger or move between hunting grounds. - **Instant Hideaway:** Bronzed Tiger Beetle can rapidly burrow into sandy soil with its specialized front legs, helping them disappear from threats. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-28 mm - **Size:** 10-14 mm - **Lifespan:** 45-90 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding A quick hunter of other small insects and tiny arthropods in its habitat. - **Age differences:** Larvae ambush prey from burrows, while adults actively pursue them on the surface. - **Primary Foods:** ants, flies, small caterpillars, small spiders, leafhoppers - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Bluebird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-bluebird) (*Sialia sialis*) — a common bird predator - **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — a hungry amphibian often found near water - **Hunts:** Silky Ant (*Formica fusca*) — a common ground-dwelling insect prey - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — a fast, winged insect often caught mid-flight ## Traits - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be gentle and watch where you step, as these little beetles are quick and can be easily scared. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Bronzed Tiger Beetle? Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Bronzed Tiger Beetle's wingspan? 20-28 mm ### How big is Bronzed Tiger Beetle? 10-14 mm ### How long does Bronzed Tiger Beetle live? 45-90 days ### How fast can Bronzed Tiger Beetle fly? 8 km/h ### What does Bronzed Tiger Beetle eat? A quick hunter of other small insects and tiny arthropods in its habitat. ### Where is Bronzed Tiger Beetle usually found? Grasslands ### How does Bronzed Tiger Beetle hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Marked Tree Lock and Siphons](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/marked-tree-lock-and-siphons) — Arkansas, US · Historic Site - [Red Hill Patrick Henry National Memorial](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/red-hill-patrick-henry-national-memorial) — Virginia, US · National Park - [Shimek State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shimek-state-forest) — Iowa, US · Forest - [Woodley Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/woodley-park) — District of Columbia, US · Neighborhood - [Cairo Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cairo-historic-district) — Illinois, US · Historic District - [Hale Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hale-avenue-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District [View all places to see Bronzed Tiger Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/bronzed-tiger-beetle) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Bronzed Tiger Beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bronzed-tiger-beetle)