Insect · GBIF taxon 6969711
Six-spot ground beetle
Anthia sexguttataAlso known as Six-Spotted Ground Beetle, Six-Spotted Eye-Biter, Six-Spotted Predator Beetle
Six-spot ground beetles are formidable terrestrial predators that hunt across the dry scrublands and open fields of South Asia. They sprint across dusty ground to overpower prey with massive mandibles, consuming insects as large as grasshoppers and caterpillars. When threatened by larger animals, they defend themselves by spraying burning chemical jets directly from the tip of their abdomen.
PredatoryNocturnalGround Beetle
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Termites
- Caterpillars
- Grasshoppers
Predators
- Lizards
- Birds
- Small Mammals
ThreatsAgricultural pesticide use and habitat fragmentation
HabitatsScrublands, dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and agricultural fields
Life span1–2 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCarabidae
- SpeciesAnthia sexguttata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Sprays painful formic acid defensive fluid when threatened; keep a safe distance and do not handle.
- Why it is dangerous
- Produces chemical secretions rich in formic acid that cause painful skin blistering and severe eye irritation.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Identified by its large glossy black body, oversized jaws, and six bold white spots on its back.
- What to do
- Maintain a clear distance of at least one meter and never handle or place this beetle near your face.
Responsible observation
- Keep Safe Distance: Maintain at least a meter gap to avoid defensive chemical sprays aimed at your face.
- Search at Night: Scan open dirt tracks and forest edges after dark using a soft light.
- Watch Mandibles: Avoid handling as their powerful jaws can deliver a sharp defensive pinch.
Name Twin (c) John G. Phillips, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by John G. Phillips · cc-by
Kinship (c) Alexander Dubynin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Wynand Uys, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Wynand Uys · cc-by
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