Fast and Festive

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We were hiking in Black Mesa State Park, Oklahoma. The sweat poured down our faces in the harsh sun, and waves of heat rose from the surrounding desert-lands. Then, suddenly, we spotted him. A flaming blue-orange speck moving speedily through the grass and dirt. What is he? He is a Festive Tiger Beetle.

The Festive Tiger Beetle is a brightly colored beetle which lives east of the Rockies. It ranges in size from 11-14 millimeters. These beetles are diurnal and make a shallow hole to spend the night in. Tiger beetles feed mainly on ants, but they also eat carabid beetles, cutworms, dead lizards, and grasshoppers. They are fed upon by crows, catbirds, burrowing owls, grouse, and spiders. You can find these beetles pretty much anywhere where there is sand, so look near dunes, sand flats, and sandy riverbeds.

Tiger beetles are some of the fastest animals on earth for their size. The fastest species reaches speeds of up to 217 mph! That’s so fast that the beetle cannot see while it’s running. It must focus on its prey beforehand and then make a dash for it. This reminds me that whenever sin comes our way, we should run as fast as we can in the opposite direction (2 Timothy 2:22)!

Photo by Jenny Venturo

Information from:

https://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetaielcode=IICOL02298

https://www.minibeastwildlife.com.au/resources/tiger-beetles/