Milton, FL Tiger Beetles are among the most hyperactive insects I have ever seen! I found these beetles on the beach in Florida. Even the "amorous" ones could run really fast. I had a hard time catching them being still long enough to get this photo. The third beetle is on the move!
Oak Ridge, TN July 17, 2009 It is not hard to see how this little beetle gets its common name, it really does look like a tiny tortoise or turtle! I found it on a tomato plant leaf while I was picking some herbs on the patio. The two black spots on the lower edge of the photo are its "frass" (a.k.a. "bug poop"). There are several different species of Tortoise beetles, they have very distinctive outer wings that cover their body.
spp. / Coleoptera June 18, 2007 The flat brown animal in this photo is a Water Penny, an aquatic beetle larva. The first time I saw one on the bottom of a rock I thought it was a piece of a dead leaf. Suddenly, the "leaf" moved slowly and I was surprised to find out it was alive!
