Phylum: Arthropoda - Class: Insecta - Order: Coleoptera - Family: Cicindelidae
Common throughout Britain, the Green Tiger Beetle is a ferocious predator. This fast-running ground beetle feeds on spiders as well as ants and many other kinds of insects.
12 to 15mm in length, the Green Tiger Beetle is an irridescent metallic-green colour with creamy-yellow spots on the wing cases. Its large eyes and long legs are a distinctive purplish bronze.
This striking beetle is common and widespread in Britain and Ireland. Green Tiger Beetles can be found in most parts of mainland Europe, and their range extends eastwards into Asia.
Heathland, sand dunes, dry coastal grassland and sparsely-vegetated moorland are habitats favourded by Green Tiger Beetles, which are also commonly found on derelict brownfield sites.
Adults can be seen in Britain from April through to late September. They create numerous small burrows in sandy soil, laying eggs singly in each one. In autumn, larve hatch from the eggs and they then lie in ambush at the burrow entrances ready to spring upon any passing prey that fall into the burrow. The larvae over-winter in their burrows, where they pupate and later emerge as adults in the following spring and summer.
O'Reilly, Pat. (Revised and updated edition 2017) Matching the Hatch. Shrewsbury: Quiller Publishing.
Foster G. N. & Friday L. E. (1988) Key to adults of the water beetles of Britain and Ireland (Part 1). Taunton: Field Studies Council.
Harde K.W. & Severa F. (1984) Field Guide in Colour to Beetles. Littlehampton Book Services.
This page includes images kindly contributed by Betty and Tony Rackham.
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