Golden Spotted Tiger Beetle (Cicindela aurulenta) Care Sheet

Quick Facts

Attribute	Details
Common Name	Golden Spotted Tiger Beetle
Scientific Name	Cicindela aurulenta
Origin	Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia)
Adult Size	1.5–2.5 cm
Lifespan	1–2 years
Activity	Diurnal predator

Behavior

• Fast, agile, and very active hunters.

• Diurnal; primarily hunts insects and small arthropods.

• Excellent climbers and jumpers; enjoys open space for hunting.

• Defensive; may bite if handled but generally avoids confrontation.

Enclosure Requirements

• Tank Size: Minimum 10 liters for 1–2 adults

• Substrate: 2–3 cm of sand, soil, or fine gravel; dry to slightly moist

• Decor: Rocks, leaves, and twigs for hiding and climbing

• Humidity: 50–60%

• Temperature:

  • Day: 24–28°C

  • Night: 20–24°C

• Lighting: Moderate indirect light; beetles are diurnal

• Ventilation: Good airflow to prevent mold

Compatibility

• Best housed singly or in pairs; territorial toward conspecifics.

• Avoid housing with other fast-moving or predatory invertebrates.

Diet

• Carnivorous; feeds on small live insects:

  • Fruit flies

  • Springtails

  • Small crickets

• Feed juveniles daily; adults 2–3× per week

• Provide small water droplets for hydration

Care Tips

• Avoid excessive handling; very fast and fragile.

• Maintain substrate slightly moist but not waterlogged.

• Provide open space for hunting and vertical surfaces for climbing.

• Spot-clean regularly; remove uneaten prey and mold.

Breeding

• Oviparous; females lay eggs in substrate.

• Larvae develop in burrows in soil and are predatory.

• Larval stage lasts several weeks to months depending on temperature and food.

• Pupation occurs within the soil before emerging as adults.

Visual Quick Guide

• 🏠 Enclosure: ≥10 L, sandy/soil substrate, hiding spots

• 🌡️ Temp: Day 24–28°C / Night 20–24°C

• 💧 Humidity: 50–60%

• 🍴 Diet: Carnivorous (small live insects)

• 🕒 Activity: Diurnal, fast hunter

• ⚠️ Stress: Avoid handling; provide open hunting space

Please note: We don't ship live animals. You can order online and choose click and collect, and we will hold it for you.