Thus, in the same sense that humans are highly modified primates and birds are highly modified dinosaurs, tiger beetles are highly modified ground beetles. Click here to visit the Tiger Beetle branch on the Tree of Life. Omus , Amblycheila , Megacephala , and the genus with the majority of species, Cicindela . All the CT species are in the genus Cicindela .
Tiger beetles are predators as adults and larvae.
As predators, tiger beetles generally prey on arthropods that are smaller than they are, such as flies and ants. It is unusual for beetles to move at such speeds- many common beetles move slowly and take much longer to prepare for flight. Tiger beetles, with a few exceptions, occur in sandy habitats with high rates of erosion and low plant density. Adults dig short burrows for shelter during the night and much longer burrows to overwinter. Depending on the soil and the species these burrows may extend to a length of 4 feet.