226 OUR INSECT FRIENDS AND FOES 



The Tiger Beetle (Cicindela campestris) is 

 another great hunter of caterpillars and other 

 larvae and small insects. The ferocity with 

 which this beetle attacks its prey is remarkable 

 to witness. Pouncing upon some unfortunate 

 fly, it sets to work with its large scissor-shaped 

 jaws and quickly shears off the wings and legs 

 of its victim, and then proceeds to devour the 

 contents of the body. Its powerful jaws, swift 

 movements, and hard armour-clad body, makes 

 the Tiger Beetle a formidable foe, and as if 

 aware of its invulnerability the beetle displays 

 extraordinary courage and alertness, declining 

 to relinquish its prey if disturbed, and always 

 putting up a good fight if cornered. Indeed, if 

 taken up in the hand, it will wriggle and gnash 

 its jaws, and try its best to bite. Nor is it one 

 wit less bloodthirsty in the larval stage of its 

 life, though as its body is then soft and unpro- 

 tected, it cannot expose itself with the same 

 recklessness when hunting for prey, and there- 

 fore has to resort to strategy. The Tiger Beetle 

 larva has six short spiny legs, which enable it to 

 dig a hole in the sandy soil which these insects 

 frequent. At first it burrows down vertically, 

 thrusting out the earth with the aid of its flat 

 head. When this vertical shaft has reached the 

 desired depth, the larva proceeds to tunnel 

 horizontally for a short distance, and finally 

 turns round and rests with its head to the exit. 

 On the somewhat swollen fifth segment of its 

 body, the larva has two curious fleshy tubercles 

 and curved hooks, by means of which it fixes 

 itself against the side of the shaft, near the 



