Six-spotted Tiger Beetle
ExploreInsects
Six-spotted Tiger Beetle
Cicindela sexguttata
The Six-spotted Tiger Beetle is a shiny, fast insect that loves to run around on the ground. It has six spots on its back and is known for its speed and bright colors!
Habitat: Sandy areas
Appearance
The Six-spotted Tiger Beetle has an iridescent, gleaming metallic green to blue-green body, making it stand out like a tiny jewel. It features long, slender legs and large, prominent eyes. Its wing covers typically have three white spots on each side, totaling six, hence its name.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderColeopteraFamilyCarabidaeGenusCicindela
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
149
Interesting facts
Some species taste so awful that birds learn to avoid them after just one unpleasant bite!
Their jaws are like tiny, super-fast pincers, snapping shut to catch food in an instant!
These beetles run so fast they temporarily can't see their prey, having to stop and reorient!
Tiger beetle larvae are hidden ambush hunters, waiting in burrows to grab unsuspecting prey.
Special abilities
Ability
Blinding Speed
Six-spotted Tiger Beetle can run at speeds up to 2.5 meters per second, allowing them to chase down swift insect prey.
Ability
Hunter's Eyes
Six-spotted Tiger Beetle has large, keen eyes that help them spot tiny prey movements from a distance.
Ability
Iridescent Invisibility
Six-spotted Tiger Beetle has a shimmering metallic green exoskeleton that provides camouflage in sunny, leafy environments.
Ability
Snapping Mandibles
Six-spotted Tiger Beetle has powerful, sharp mandibles that can quickly snap shut to capture and devour prey.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 25-28 mm
- Size
- 12-14 mm
- Lifespan
- 30-90 days
- Flight Speed
- 10 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Tiny predators, these beetles swiftly hunt and devour smaller insects they find.
Age differences: Larvae are ambush predators from burrows; adults actively pursue prey.
Primary Foods
- small flies
- ants
- caterpillars
- spiders
- leafhoppers
Foraging Method
- Pursuit
Ecological connections
hunts
Field Ant
Formica fusca
as a common and protein-rich food source
eaten by
Green Anole
Anolis carolinensis
as a swift, nutritious meal for lizards
eaten by
Brown Thrasher
Toxostoma rufum
caught by birds seeking varied insect prey
Traits
Spotted
Marked with spots or patches of a different color.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
These beetles are safe to watch, but it's best to leave them alone in nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Six-spotted Tiger Beetle?
The easiest way to identify Six-spotted Tiger Beetle is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
What is Six-spotted Tiger Beetle's wingspan?
25-28 mm
How big is Six-spotted Tiger Beetle?
12-14 mm
How long does Six-spotted Tiger Beetle live?
30-90 days
How fast can Six-spotted Tiger Beetle fly?
10 km/h
What does Six-spotted Tiger Beetle eat?
Tiny predators, these beetles swiftly hunt and devour smaller insects they find.
Where is Six-spotted Tiger Beetle usually found?
Sandy areas
How does Six-spotted Tiger Beetle hunt?
Pursuit
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
Jun 3, 2026
Lyman School for Boysi
Photo attribution
no rights reserved
License: CC0 1.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 1, 2026
North Conway stationi
Photo attribution
(c) Sarah Courchesne, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 29, 2026
Lowell Holly Reservationi
Photo attribution
(c) Jake McCumber, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 17, 2026
Blackbird State Foresti
Photo attribution
(c) inbetweenbays, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 17, 2026
Chopawamsic RDA Camp 2i
Photo attribution
(c) Adam Archie, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
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