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tiger beetle

tiger beetle

1 6.9
A fast, brightly colored beetle that hunts other insects
  • noun
  • /ˈtaɪɡər ˈbiːtəl/
translation icon : escarabajo tigre
  • More recent work has focused on North American tiger beetles (Cicindelidae) and their distribution, ecology, and conservation.
  • tiger beetle in sand

And and under the western red bellied tiger beetle is the phrase larval biology unknown.

Examples

  • The tiger beetle is known for its incredible speed as it chases down other insects.

  • We queried 35 pro-am colleagues with widely respected publication records in taxonomy, natural history, and the distribution of tiger beetles and birds with the question, "What do you need from professional taxonomists to make yourself more effective and happy as an amateur taxonomist?"

    Academic text (2011)
  • And and under the western red bellied tiger beetle is the phrase larval biology unknown.

  • Blue: THEY LOVE THE SUN, THESE TIGER BEETLES.

  • Brightly colored, the tiger beetle stands out as it hunts on sandy beaches.

  • While walking in the park, I spotted a tiger beetle darting after an ant.

Synonyms

Cicindela
vstiger beetle
  • Specialized
9.9

A type of brightly colored, fast-moving insect called a tiger beetle

is a broader common name covering that genus
Cicindelidae
vstiger beetle
  • Specialized
9.9

A family of bright, fast beetles that hunt other insects

is the everyday term for these fast hunting beetles not the taxonomic family
family Cicindelidae
vstiger beetle
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of beetles like tiger beetles that hunt and run very fast

is the common name used for individual fast hunting beetles rather than the family

How Fast

dragonfly
15 1.4
tiger beetle
1 6.9
ladybird
  • UK
3 1.0
caterpillar
43 1.0

Surface Forms

tiger beetle singular
tiger beetles plural

Morphology

tiger + beetle

The compound 'tiger beetle' is a straightforward noun–noun combination where 'tiger' modifies 'beetle', signaling a beetle with tiger-like attributes (appearance, speed or predatory behavior). This follows common cross-linguistic naming patterns for species, so a B1 learner who knows 'tiger' and 'beetle' can reasonably infer it denotes a particular kind of beetle.

Etymology

Tiger beetle gets its name from the idea of a small beetle that hunts like a tiger. Because it runs very fast and catches other insects, the name describes 'a fast, hunting insect'.