Desert Tiger Beetle vs Blue-winged Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Desert Tiger Beetle Blue-winged Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Cicindela hemorrhagica Platydracus chalcocephalus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Cicindelidae Staphylinidae
Size 12-15 mm 12-17 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Grasslands
Diet Predators Predators
Regions North America Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Desert Tiger Beetle

A bright red and green tiger beetle that hunts along the edges of desert streams and alkaline flats. It is an extremely fast runner relative to its body size.

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Did You Know?

It runs so fast that its eyes cannot process images quickly enough, forcing it to stop and re-aim at prey.

Blue-winged Rove Beetle

A handsome rove beetle with a metallic blue-green head and pronotum contrasting with brown elytra. It is found in wooded areas and is a capable flier attracted to lights at night.

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Did You Know?

The metallic coloration of its head is produced by nanostructures in the cuticle that interfere with light, similar to how a soap bubble creates colors.