Tiger beetles are remarkable predators known for their exceptional speed and unique adaptations that enable them to chase prey effectively. Here is an overview of their running behavior and strategies:
Speed and Visual Challenges
We recommend:
jeweled beetles, ground beetles, longhorn beetles, goliath beetle, stag beetle, carpet beetles
Tiger Beetles running
Tiger beetles can run at speeds of up to 35 body lengths per second, making them one of the fastest insects in the world. However, this incredible speed comes with a drawback: their eyes cannot process visual information fast enough, causing temporary blindness while running. To compensate, they stop briefly to reorient themselves and locate their prey before resuming the chase.
Unique pictorial atlases for identifying Beetles:
(2020) Tiger Beetles of the World, Cicindelidae, Illustrated guide to the genera
Books about Beetles
Unique pictorial atlases for identifying Beetles:
(2020) Tiger Beetles of the World, Cicindelidae, Illustrated guide to the genera
(2023) Tiger Beetles of Africa, Cicindelidae, Geographical guide to the family Cicindelidae
(2024) Tiger Beetles of Orient, Cicindelidae, Geographical guide to the family Cicindelidae
(2022) Ground Beetles of Africa, Afrotropical Region
(2022) Jewel Beetles of the World, Buprestidae, Illustrated guide to the Superfamily Buprestoidea
(2008) The Prionids of the World, Prioninae, Illustrated catalogue of the Beetles
(2010) The Prionids of the Neotropical region, Prioninae, Illustrated catalogue of the Beetles
Use of Antennae for Navigation
When blinded by speed, tiger beetles rely on their rigidly held antennae to mechanically sense their surroundings. These antennae help detect obstacles and navigate terrain by picking up surface discontinuities. Experiments have shown that even when their eyes are painted over, tiger beetles can still avoid obstacles using their antennae. Without antennae, they fail to detect hurdles and collide with them.
Chasing Mechanism
Tiger beetles use a proportional control law to guide their pursuit. They adjust their angular velocity based on the angular position of the prey relative to their body axis, with a delay corresponding to half a stride (28 ms). This control system allows them to turn toward prey effectively while maintaining high speeds.
Walking Gait
Tiger Beetles running
Their alternating tripod gait involves periodic body oscillations that contribute to efficient movement. The stride frequency averages about 18 Hz, with a stride period of approximately 55 ms. During sharp turns, their angular velocity can reach up to 1400° per second.
These adaptations make tiger beetles highly efficient hunters, capable of overcoming challenges posed by their extreme speed and environmental obstacles.
