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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
Six-spotted Tiger Beetle
spotted trait badgecolorful trait badgeinsectivorous trait badgecarnivorous trait badge
Six-spotted Tiger Beetle

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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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

Traits

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

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

How many legs does Six-spotted Tiger Beetle have?

6

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