TIGER BEETLE

Family Cincindelidae (Cicindela sp.)

These beetles are small....maybe 1/2 inch (12-13mm) in length but they are all mouth and born hunters. They are quite beautiful coming in a variety of colors from camouflaged to fluorescent green. If you're bored one day...try to catch one. Being predators they know how to play the game and will usually be a step ahead of you. Apparently, this one was a slow learner as I managed to catch it for part of my teaching collection.

EXTRA: head on shot of this critter's chompers. How'd you like to be a bug and see this coming after you? Nightmare!  Has to be seen in Large to be appreciated.