Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Adephaga
Family: Carabidae
Subfamily: Cicindelinae
Tribe: Cicindelini
Subtribe: Cicindelina
Genus: Neocicindela
Species: N. tuberculata
Binomial name: Neocicindela tuberculata
Synonym: Cicindela tuberculata
Common name: Common tiger beetle, Moeone, Papapa
The tiger beetles are a large group of beetles known for their predatory habits. Some tiger beetles can run at a speed of 5 mph. For its size, it has been suggested that they are technically the fastest running land animals.
Neocicindela tuberculata is a species of tiger beetle in the subfamily Cicindelinae of the family Carabidae, endemic to New Zealand. Its common names include common tiger beetle, moeone, and papapa, and in its larval stage penny doctor, butcher boy, kapuku, Kui, kurikuri, moeone, and muremure. Native common tiger beetles (Neocicindela tuberculata) are ground predators. Their larvae may live for several years in a hole in the ground, and grab and eat passing insects. Adults are commonly seen on clay banks in summer, running around and making short flights as they hunt other insects. Their powerful mandibles and acute vision make them effective predators. The small holes in clay banks are the tunnels were the larvae live. Children often insert small grass leaves or stalks into these holes. After leaving the grass in the hole for a few minute, when the larvae grab hold of it and start pushing it out the children slowly pull out the grass or grass stalk with the butcher boy attached.
A tiger beetle with a cockroach body
