Stats

Lifespan: 1-3 yrs
Size: Small
Diet: Insectivore
Activity: Diurnal
Social: Solitary
Biome: Temperate forest
Range: North America
Movement: Running
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Speed
Status: Common

About

A brilliant iridescent green predator found on sun-dappled forest paths, the six-spotted tiger beetle sprints so fast it temporarily goes blind mid-chase — its eyes can't keep up — and must stop repeatedly to relocate its prey.

Life cycle

1.
egg
A small egg is laid on or near the larval food source and hatches within days or weeks.
2.
juvenile
An immature insect feeds and molts, growing through successive instars.
3.
subadult
A near-adult insect has wing buds or near-mature form, one molt away from full size.
4.
adult
Fully grown, with full wings and adult coloration.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Cicindelidae
Genus: Cicindela
Species: Cicindela sexguttata