Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
 

Register · Log In
HomeGuideID RequestRecentFrassForumsDonateHelp
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar
BugGuide Gathering
Pack Forest
Washington State
July 10-12, 2009
Details...

Photos from the 2008 gathering in Tennessee
 
Photos from the 2007 gathering in Minnesota

TaxonomyBrowseInfoImagesLinksBooksData
Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Beetles (Coleoptera) » Ground and Water Beetles (Adephaga) » Ground Beetles (Carabidae) » Tiger Beetles (Cicindelinae) » Megacephalini » Big-headed Tiger Beetles (Tetracha)
Photo#67076
I call it
Copyright © 2006 Robert Graham, MD

I call it "antdragron", as shares properties with antlion. What is it really? Lives in 1/2 cm x 10-12cm deep hole, eats ants - Tetracha
Fitzgerald GA, Ben Hill County Central GA County, Georgia, USA
July 22, 2006
Size: 1 1/4 inch
local youths call them "mad-dogs"-they push stalk of grass in hole, larva vigorously attacks it with jaws, and they pull them up. They ferociously fight each other. One sees the head and small plate behind head only suspended at top of 1/4 inch hole- good eyesight through 4 tiny eyes. Disappears into hole in split second when threatened. Will thrust out of hole in in sudden flash and then disappear with prey when ant creeps nearby. Leg joints and appearance vestigial catapillar legs on its dorsum suggest addapted to live and walk upside down? I'm convinced is larval, likely relative of antlion.
After initial submission, other users identified as tiger beetle larvae. I at once returned to area spotted and even captured one adult almost certainly "Carolina Tiger Beetle or megacephalia carolina.

Images of this individual: tag all
I call it I call it
tag · login or register to post comments
Contributed by Robert Graham, MD on 28 July, 2006 - 3:18am
Last updated 16 August, 2006 - 5:35pm

Nice photo
and I love the name 'ant dragon'. :D
… Jonas Insinga, 4 May, 2008 - 1:22pm login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from Tiger Beetles.
… Chris Wirth, 16 August, 2006 - 5:35pm login or register to post comments

Tiger Beetle Larva
You are probably right that this is the larva of Megacephala carolina. I can clearly see characteristics to ID it to Megacephala, could you elaborate on the habitat in which you found this?
Here is a shot of an adult Megacephala Carolina:
… Chris Wirth, 15 August, 2006 - 10:10am login or register to post comments

Sharp, excellent photos and interesting notes
I think it's a tiger beetle larva. Maybe someone else can give you more specific info:

Similar creature here
… Jack Connor, 28 July, 2006 - 5:59am login or register to post comments

 
Antdragon (my name) is Tiger Beetle Lavae!
Thanks a lot for the quick and accurate ID! I've searched and obsessed for an answer for weeks. I take a couple of photos and get answer within a couple of hours. This bugGuide is truly an awsome resource. Thank you so much for your quick and accurate observations!
… Robert Graham, MD, 29 July, 2006 - 6:28am login or register to post comments

 
Ditto here.
Jack is correct. Nice photo of one. The things on its dorsum are spines to dig into burrow and keep from being pulled out by something bigger. Will move to guide page for tiger beetle subfamily.
… Jim McClarin, 28 July, 2006 - 6:41am login or register to post comments

 
AntDragon (my name) is Tiger Beetle Larvae!
Thanks a lot for the quick and accurate ID! I've searched and obsessed for an answer for weeks. I take a couple of photos and get answer within a couple of hours. This bugGuide is truly an awsome resource. Thank you so much for your quick and accurate observations!
… Robert Graham, MD, 29 July, 2006 - 6:29am login or register to post comments

Comment viewing options
Select your preferred way to display the comments and click 'Save settings' to activate your changes.

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2009 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by Iowa State University Entomology.

Printer Friendly Version 		Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Site Map
Contact