Western Tiger Beetle
California Native of the Week
One of the first things you might notice about Tiger Beetles are their striking colors. They come in a range of iridescent coloring, including green, blue, purple, black and brown at varying densities. Western Tiger Beetles tend to be black or bronze with a hint of green.
The second thing you may notice about tiger beetles is their speed and Western tiger beetles are no exception. These voracious predators rely on speed and an impressive eyesight to catch their prey and escape predation themselves. While they can fly, it’s not something they are particularly good at.
Western Tiger Beetles are found all along the American west coast, stretching from Alaska to Mexico. You are most likely to spot adults from May to June in sandy wet environments, including river banks, coasts, hot springs, and grasslands. Adults are diurnal, sensitive to temperature, and will congregate together, so you have a higher chance of spotting them on cool summer days or around dusk or dawn.
My most recent Tiger Beetle experience was in May 2024 in Lassen. I couldn’t identify it beyond genus at the time, because it crossed my path a bit too quickly, so am unsure if it was a Western Tiger Beetle. If you hope to catch one from close up observation, a net is a good idea, even if they are on the ground.
https://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=IICOL02364