Cicindela
purpurea (two photos)
Tiger Beetle

Larva and adults of theseground beetles feed on
other
insects. They are fascinating to watch.
They light on the ground and if you try to get closer they will fly off
just a little ways and
make you chase them. Cicindela, in the subfamily Tiger Beetles,
come in all colors and
patterns. These were found at two different times of the
year. ©Carol Davis, 10-26-2008

I had to chase this one down that I found in the exact location as the
one above, only 4 months later. It could barely fly so eventually
it grew tired and let me take some shots. I don't know if its
wing was torn off or had some kind of fungus. I'm pretty sure these two
are same species, even though the top lines aren't discernible on the
bottom beetle. © Carol Davis, 3-3-2009
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