6.13.12 Beetles and a Moth

6.13.12    This Six-spotted tiger beetle seemed to be chasing ants on a sandy path this sunny afternoon.  Usually, these beetles taunt me with their emerald brilliance and fly off to land a few feet away before I can get near.  This one let me observe for a minute or two before it flew off. 

The Large lace-border  (Scopula limboundata) is a Geometrid moth; its larvae are inch-worms, "measuring the earth".   Though named "large", the measure across its wings is about one inch.

When I got home to take in the laundry, a White-spotted pine sawyer was checking out a blue sheet. (Note the single white spot).   The larvae of this beetle tunnel into dead pine trees.  Sometimes they can be heard chomping away.