Cicindela sexguttata
| Six-spotted tiger beetle | |
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| Cicindela sexguttata with prey | |
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| Species: | C. sexguttata
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| Cicindela sexguttata Fabricius, 1775
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Cicindela sexguttata, the six-spotted tiger beetle, is a common North American species of beetle in the Carabidae family. The imago (adult) is 12-14 mm in length, with long legs. The large white mandibles, give these attractive insects a ferocious appearance. Although they are strong enough to subdue their prey, they do not bite humans unless handled. Both the common name and the species name refer to the number of small white spots on the beetle's metallic-green to metallic-blue elytra, usually numbering six. This is not always true however, as some individuals have fewer spots,or none at all. Six-spotted tiger beetles live in woody places, and they like shady openings such as dirt paths and fallen logs to hunt caterpillars, ants, spiders, and many other kinds of arthropods. This species is not gregarious, but sometimes many beetles may be seen in one fallen log. The females lay eggs in sandy patches, and the larvae are predators of small arthropods as well.
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