Carolina Tiger Beetle (Tetracha carolina)

Hunting before sunrise at the disturbed edge of a dense mixed forest. Carolina tiger beetles are primarily nocturnal, so it was not surprising to see them so active at this time.

My husband has been telling me about these iridescent tiger beetles that he has been seeing nearly every morning before leaving for work. Finally, I got a shot of one!

comments (9)

Christine Young

Lion

So lovely! What a great find. Did you read the alternate common name: Pan-American Big-headed Tiger Beetle. So weird. Posted 6 years ago
1. Flown Kimmerling
  
  Lion
  
  Yes. Very weird. Its head isn't THAT big. :/ I prefer "Carolina Tiger Beetle" for sure! Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    Definitely! Or, "Iridescent Tiger Beetle with Tan Butt Cheeks" Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Flown Kimmerling
      
      Lion
      
      LOLLL! That is too perfect! There is a subspecies (I think it may have been given its own species name now?) that has no purple shades on the body. It is called the Florida Metallic Tiger Beetle (Tetracha floridana). Maybe one day (If I am around the coast) I can see it too! Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Nice! Tiger beetles are so difficult to capture! It'd be awesome to see some new ones. Posted 6 years ago
      2. Flown Kimmerling
        
        Lion
        
        Agreed. I wonder how many different species we have here! I've seen only 3 so far (I think), but they are hard to catch, as you said.
        
        This particular species is very fast. They look very ghostly as the metallic sheen blurs them as they run across the ground (in the dark). I got lucky that it was curious about Jason's flashlight. It stopped briefly! Posted 6 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        I've only seen one species ever, I think. the green ones...
        
        Posted 6 years ago
        
        Flown Kimmerling
        
        Lion
        
        Oh! I love these! They are everywhere (during daylight hours) these past two weeks or so! They are pains to photograph for sure. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Nice! I see them on one hike that I go on, but that's it. They are skittish, little nature gems. Posted 6 years ago