Shiny Buggie!!!

[lavendertook]

This is a six spotted tiger beetle I spotted in May by Greenbelt Lake. This pretty little thing's body was less than a centimeter. I don't see them that often, but it's always a joy to spot such rich green iridescence, and this one was nice enough to pose for me for a couple of minutes. Enjoy! (-:





This pic gives you a better look at this fellow's mean ivory mandibles.

Comments

[spiralsheep]

:-)

[lavendertook]

Greeeeeeeeen!

[jan-u-wine.livejournal.com]

wow, he looks like he ought to have a souped-up engine "under the hood' and be racin' for pink slips.......

truly a mad buggie!

[lavendertook.livejournal.com]

They *are* pretty quick fliers--there's some good wings under that hood. (-:

[jan-u-wine.livejournal.com]

ARE THESE WHAT ARE CALLED JUNE BUGS? CUZ I SEE SOME OF THEM OUT HERE....BUT THEY ARE, UNFORTUNATELY ALL D A I D.

ON THE OTHER HAND, BEING THEY ARE D A I D, I DON'T SUPPOSE THEY MIND ME TAKING THEM HOME TO BE ADMIRED.......

[lavendertook.livejournal.com]

NO! June bugs are much bigger and broader, like a scarab--the size of a Japanese beetle. They're a more yellowy green and not as highly shiny on top. June bugs eat fruit and are not good for crops, while six spotted tiger beetles eat ants, spiders, and other pests because they are tiny, fierce predators.

Yay for your bug collection! One day, you and I need to go beachcombing together.

[jan-u-wine.livejournal.com]

yes, indeed, that would be a great pleasure!

[shirebound]

Look at that color! He reminds me of the Japanese Beetles that were all over the rosebushes where I grew up.

[lavendertook.livejournal.com]

It's such a pure, shiny green. (-: This fellow is half the size of those, much shinier, and not destructive of crops, being a fiercesome little predator.

[addie71.livejournal.com]

I confess, I'm not overly fond of bugs, but he really is purdy, isn't he?

[lavendertook.livejournal.com]

About as pretty an iridescent chrome green as you can get. (-:

[romeny.livejournal.com]

Yeech, not a fan of the up close and personal bug but have to admit, this fella's kinda cute. lol

[lavendertook.livejournal.com]

It's the pure green and high shine that win me. They're like little titanium emeralds.

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

aww...what a shiny buggie!

[lavendertook.livejournal.com]

Little natural Elf stones! (-:

[obeliamedusa.livejournal.com]

Wow!! I've never seen such a bug!

[lavendertook.livejournal.com]

They're tiny, but so shiny. (-: