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Exemplary Photo of St. Anthony Dune Tiger Beetle

On · Category: Tiger Beetles · 1 Comment

Subject: St. Anthony Dune Tiger Beetle (Cicindela arenicola)
Location: St. Anthony Dunes, Fremont County, Idaho
May 22, 2013 7:59 pm
I thought that you guys might enjoy a picture of this guy.
Signature: Dune Crawler

St Anthony Dune Tiger Beetle

St. Anthony Dune Tiger Beetle

Dear Dune Crawler,
This piebald beetle is a lovely species and your photograph is exemplary.  Thank you for providing us with our first photo of a St. Anthony Dune Tiger Beetle.
P.S.  We rotated your image a quarter of a turn counterclockwise so it would fit better on our site.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Six Spotted Tiger Beetle

On · Category: Tiger Beetles · Add Comment

Subject: Green beetle
Location: Montville, ME
May 21, 2013 6:31 am
Hi,
Found this beetle while hiking in Montville, Maine. I’ve seen these before, but mostly only on mountains!
Signature: Jasmine D.

Six Spotted Tiger Beetle

Six Spotted Tiger Beetle

Hi Jasmine,
However did you get this fast running Six Spotted Tiger Beetle to stand still long enough to have photos taken?  They are also capable of taking to wing if threatened. 

It took me a while, but I picked it up carefully and when I covered it up with my hand it stopped moving for a few seconds, I think maybe the dark threw it off! Thank you! They’re so pretty!
Jasmine

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Six Spotted Tiger Beetle

On · Category: Tiger Beetles · 2 Comments

Subject: mystery blue bug
Location: tiverton, rhode island
May 16, 2013 6:31 am
Saw this bug on my deck on tuesday, may 14 and went to get my camera. When i returned it was gone. Saw it again Wednesday, may 15 in a small garden on the rough mulch dead. Perhaps came in on a southerly from some place tropical?
Signature: nature girl

Six Spotted Tiger Beetle

Six Spotted Tiger Beetle

Dear Nature Girl,
The predatory Six Spotted Tiger Beetle, Cicindela sexguttata, is native to Rhode Island, and Bugguide reports sightings in all states east of Texas.  This beautiful beetle runs quite fast and is also capable of flying.

wow! very exciting! thank you! bummer he is now deceased…..will watch for more

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

European Ground Beetle

On · Category: Ground Beetles · Add Comment

Subject: Beetle with purple spots
Location: Vermont
May 15, 2013 5:49 pm
Hi Bugman!
I am in northern Vermont. I found a beetle outside on the playground with my toddler class. Can’t find it anywhere to identify it!
Signature: Amy

European Ground Beetle

European Ground Beetle

Hi Amy,
This lovely beetle is a European Ground Beetle, Carabus nemoralis, and you can read more about it on BugGuide.

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Do you know if these are a threat to little hands? or do these ones secrete anything stinky? LOL   Thanks so much again!!

Hi again Amy,
Ground Beetles are predators that have strong mandibles, and it is possible that they might nip a person, but they have no poison and they are not dangerous.  We doubt they could even draw blood.  Smell is so subjective, and folks with sensitive noses might find them stinky, but we have not read anything about them using scent as a defense.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Fiery Searcher

On · Category: Ground Beetles · Add Comment

Subject: what kind of beetle is this?
Location: West central Missouri
May 13, 2013 7:19 am
A student found this beetle near our school and brought it in so that my lizard could eat it–I did not feed it to my Bearded Dragon. The bug is about 3cm long, and is a beautiful emerald green. There is a gold ring around the top of the thorax. The bug was found on May 10, 2013
Signature: Ms. Crocker

Fiery Searcher

Fiery Searcher

Dear Ms. Crocker,
This Caterpillar Hunter is commonly called a Fiery Searcher.

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Caterpillar Hunter Larva

On · Category: Ground Beetles · Add Comment

Subject: Black bug, termite looking.
Location: SLC, Utah
May 12, 2013 9:19 am
I found some of these up againts my house when the hose water caused them to reach for higher ground. They have pincers on the front. Its spring here in SLC, Utah. Its not a termite is it? Thanks
Signature: Maren

Caterpillar Hunter Larva

Caterpillar Hunter Larva

Hi Maren,
This is the larva of a beneficial Caterpillar Hunter in the genus Calosoma.  Both larvae and adults eat Caterpillars.  Some adult Calosoma species like this Fiery Searcher have beautiful coloration.  See BugGuide for verification.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Mating Six Spotted Tiger Beetles

On · Category: Tiger Beetles Tagged With: · 1 Comment

Subject: Tiger Beetles!
Location: Barrington, New Hampshire
May 9, 2013 6:41 am
Hey again Bugman!
Just sending along those Six-Spotted Tiger Beetle shots I mentioned. I was lucky enough to have these two come running right up to my shoes when I stopped and waited so I got some really nice shots. Hope you enjoy!
Signature: Black Zarak

Six Spotted Tiger Beetles

Six Spotted Tiger Beetles

Dear Black Zarak,
Thanks for sending these photos of mating Six Spotted Tiger Beetles.  In the first photo, it appears the beetle on the left, which we assume is the female, might be in a position to release pheromones.  At any rate, it is a “come hither” pose.

Mating Six Spotted Tiger Beetles

Mating Six Spotted Tiger Beetles


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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Six Spotted Tiger Beetle, we believe

On · Category: Tiger Beetles · 1 Comment

Subject: Blue/Green Jewel Beetle
Location: Knotts Island, NC
May 7, 2013 10:40 pm
I haven’t been able to find a picture or listing for this beetle. I found it under a board in a field on Knotts Island, NC in April this year. I am not sure I have seen a beetle or bug that was so iridescent. I wonder what the purpose of the coloring would be.
Signature: Rod Mann

Six Spotted Tiger Beetle

Six Spotted Tiger Beetle

Dear Rod,
We believe this is a Six Spotted Tiger Beetle, Cicindela sexguttata, a species that doesn’t necessarily always have six spots.  They are predators that run fast and fly even faster.

Six Spotted Tiger Beetle

Six Spotted Tiger Beetle

Daniel…….Thank you. Now I see all the other examples you have and I agree.

 

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination