tiger beetle

tiger beetle

n.

Any of numerous active, brightly colored, predatory beetles of the family Cicindelidae, chiefly of warm, sandy regions, having large jaws and sluggish larvae that live in vertical burrows.

tiger beetle

n

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

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

ti′ger bee`tle

n.

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

[1820–30]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

tiger beetle - active usually bright-colored beetle that preys on other insects beetle - insect having biting mouthparts and front wings modified to form horny covers overlying the membranous rear wings Cicindelidae, family Cicindelidae - tiger beetles