Six-spotted Tiger Beetle

This Six-spotted Tiger Beetle was out for a hike last summer. Being in the family of tiger beetles, they are considered to be ferocious predators of other small arthropods, which is presumably how they got the "tiger" part of their name. Tiger beetles are also considered to be fairly fast runners, aided by relatively long legs. While us humans are generally faster, we're also vastly larger.

Though the Six-spotted Tiger Beetle's mouth is good at tearing into its prey, they're not really dangerous to us humans. Supposedly you'll feel a pinch if they bite you at all, which probably only happens if you're handling them.

Despite the similar names, they're not known to be friendly with Six-spotted Fishing Spiders.

June 29, 2023 at Sourland Mountain Preserve
Photo 301252073, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)


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