Six-Spotted Tiger Beetle

Description:

Shiny, emerald beetle with crazy mandibles that look like ferocious teeth. It wasn't that large of a beetle (an inch long or so, I'm guessing), so I couldn't see the mandibles well until I used my macro lens. It was flying for short distances, landing, and running quickly along the ground, hunting for insects. I had to put it in a plastic container to get photos of it without it's escaping, so unfortunately the refraction of the light and the dirt on the sides of the container interferes in the photos. It kept scurrying around in there and didn't remain still for very long.

Habitat:

Found on a sandy path at the edge of some woods, beside a river. Ben Burton Park.