Appearance: Metallic green to blue-green with six white spots on the elytra (three on each wing cover).
Size: Approximately 12-15 mm in length.
Legs: Long and slender, adapted for rapid running.
Mandibles: Large and prominent, designed for predation.
Antennae: Long and slender, often held forward.
Known Range
Native Range: Eastern United States and parts of southeastern Canada.
Habitat: Prefers open, sunny areas such as paths, trails, sandy patches, and the edges of forests. Often found in regions with minimal vegetation and loose soil.
Diet
Type: Carnivorous.
Primary Prey: Ants, smaller insects, and other arthropods.
Hunting Behavior: Active hunters that rely on speed and strong mandibles to catch and consume prey.
Breeding and Lifecycle
Mating Season: Typically occurs in spring and early summer.
Egg Laying: Females deposit eggs in small, well-hidden burrows in the soil.
Larval Stage: Larvae are predatory and construct vertical burrows from which they ambush passing prey. They have a distinct curved shape with large mandibles.
Pupation: The larvae eventually pupate within their burrows after several instars.
Adult Emergence: Adults emerge in late spring or summer and are active throughout the warmer months.
Lifespan: Adult beetles live for approximately 1-2 seasons, while the larval stage can last up to two years, depending on environmental conditions.
Additional Notes
Special Features: Known for their striking metallic coloration and rapid movements. The six-spotted tiger beetle’s speed aids in both predation and evasion of threats.
Maintenance Level: Minimal maintenance as an observed wild species; habitat conservation is important for sustaining populations.
Ecological Role: Acts as both predator and prey within its ecosystem, contributing to insect population control and serving as a food source for birds and other predators.
