tiger beetle


noun

any of numerous active, usually brightly colored beetles, of the family Cicindelidae, that prey on other insects.

Origin of tiger beetle

First recorded in 1820–30

Example sentences from the Web for tiger beetle

  • Perhaps the carnivorous larva of the tiger-beetle, or cicindela, is as ferocious a being as any in this state.

  • It has very long legs, and prefers climbing among the foliage to living on the ground, like most varieties of the tiger-beetle.

British Dictionary definitions for tiger beetle

tiger beetle

noun

any active predatory beetle of the family Cicindelidae, chiefly of warm dry regions, having powerful mandibles and long legs

Word Origin for tiger beetle

C19: so called because it has patterned, sometimes striped, wing covers