Sometimes called the Spy bug or more commonly THE TIGER BEETLE - or the proper latin name: Cicindela aurulenta. Often seen skipping ahead of you on jungle and country paths.
These beetles are ferociously carnivorous, just look at the mouth parts of the beasty above. Although they can fly, often in skipping short bursts, the fastest species of tiger beetle can run at a speed of 9 km/h (5.6 mph), or about 53.87 body lengths per second, which is incredibly fast when you think about it!
There are four commonly seen species of Tiger Beetle in Hong Kong.
These beetles are carnivorous. The fastest species of tiger beetle can run at a speed of 9 km/h (5.6 mph), or about 53.87 body lengths per second, which is incredibly fast when you think about it!
This one on the right was not so lucky, as a spider keeps well out of way of its jaws as it wraps it in its web.
Tiger beetles are considered a good indicator species and have been used in ecological studies on biodiversity.
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