This was the third Green tiger beetle (Cicindela campestris) I saw during Wednesday’s wander around Gwent’s Slade Wood but the other two, true to their tiger name, sped off on their long legs before I could get close enough for photos. I think this one probably thought it was well enough camouflaged amongst the vegetation but a beam of sunlight reflecting off its iridescent green colouring gave it away. In fact, the genus name Cicindela is the Latin word for glowworm, which, presumably, is named for that metallic sheen. It’s a beautiful creature, though I do think it would be rather scary and quite intimidating if it were any more than 10-15mm long.