Best time to see: Apr to Sep

Key facts

A bright green beetle with yellow spots, found in sandy places

Fast-running, hunting ants and other small insects in daylight; fly well, with a loud buzzing noise

Commonest tiger beetle (sometimes classed with ground beetles) in Britain and much of Europe

Recognition

Iridescent green with yellow spots on their back and long legs; up to 14cm

Lifecycle

Eggs laid separately in small burrows in the ground in summer

The burrows act like pitfall traps and the larvae remain in them waiting for prey to pass by or fall in