I’ve asked Serrano if he’d be willing to send a higher rez pic – until then this scanned version will have to do. Frankly, I was just happy he even permitted me to post a scanned version. Yes, it’s quite a monster, probably bigger than any of our related species (genus Tetracha). I have what I think is an Amblycheila larva – it is bigger than this thing. It’s asleep for the winter right now, but when I pull it out of the fridge in the spring I’m gonna take some photos that’ll knock your sox off!

Scavenging has been reported for a number of tiger beetles, most I think are species found in saline habitats – veritable biological wastelands. I suspect the beetles are quite opportunistic and will eat just about anything they can get their jaws on. I feed mine cat food!

The fish-scavenging is interesting…did the authors say whether the beetles had been observed feeding on other vertebrates, or was it just presumed? Not knowing anything about the life history of the fish, I wonder if their choice of carrion is purely incidental or common?

Most insects cannot see in red and infra-red wavelengths. That’s why you can cover the glass of an ant farm with red cellophane and the ants will not avoid the light.