# Cicindela sylvicola The Cicindela sylvicola, also known as the woodland tiger beetle, is a shiny, fast insect that loves to run around in the woods. Its bright colors help it stand out in nature! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Woodland Tiger Beetle ![Cicindela sylvicola](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cicindela_sylvicola04.jpg&width=800) Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cicindela_sylvicola04.jpg) ## Appearance The Cicindela sylvicola has a metallic green or bronzed body with a distinctive sheen. Its wing covers feature pale, curved markings (lunules) near the tips, often with a central dot or band. This pattern helps distinguish it from other swift tiger beetles. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Carabidae - **Genus:** Cicindela ## Interesting facts - Adults run so incredibly fast that they can't even see for a moment! - Its speedy larvae ambush prey from underground tunnels they dig themselves! - They have powerful jaws that can snip a small insect in half in a flash! - When the ground gets too hot, this beetle does a funny 'dance' to cool its feet! ## Special abilities - **Super Sprinter:** Cicindela sylvicola can sprint incredibly fast because of its long, powerful legs that help it chase prey. - **Hawk Eyes:** Cicindela sylvicola has huge, bulging eyes that help it see tiny movements and spot prey from a distance. - **Ambush Burrower:** Its larvae can hide perfectly in sandy tunnels because they match the soil, helping them ambush unsuspecting insects. - **Crushing Jaws:** Cicindela sylvicola has powerful, sharp mandibles that help it grab and crush other insects quickly. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 22-30 mm - **Size:** 11-15 mm - **Lifespan:** 730-1095 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding This beetle is a lightning-fast hunter, feasting on small insects it catches with incredible speed! - **Age differences:** Larvae are ambush predators, living in burrows and snatching prey that pass by, while adults actively chase their food. - **Primary Foods:** ants, small flies, caterpillars, small spiders, aphids, other small beetles - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** red wood ant (*Formica rufa*) — Adults actively hunt ants on the forest floor. - **Hunts:** common black ground beetle (*Pterostichus melanarius*) — A swift predator of smaller ground-dwelling beetles. - **Eaten by:** [European robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-robin) (*Erithacus rubecula*) — Birds may prey on adult beetles foraging on paths. - **Eaten by:** [sand lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sand-lizard) (*Lacerta agilis*) — Lizards may catch unsuspecting beetles on sandy ground. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [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 from a distance; insects are delicate and can be scared easily. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Cicindela sylvicola? 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 Cicindela sylvicola's wingspan? 22-30 mm ### How big is Cicindela sylvicola? 11-15 mm ### How long does Cicindela sylvicola live? 730-1095 days ### How fast can Cicindela sylvicola fly? 8 km/h ### What does Cicindela sylvicola eat? This beetle is a lightning-fast hunter, feasting on small insects it catches with incredible speed! ### Where is Cicindela sylvicola usually found? Forests ### How does Cicindela sylvicola hunt? Pursuit ## 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: [Cicindela sylvicola: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cicindela-sylvicola)