Burrowing Ground Beetle, Honduras.

‘A fearless ruffian ready for any crime’ is how this insect was described by the celebrated 19th century entomologist Jean-Henri Fabre. Scarites are powerful ambush predators and construct a burrow system from which they wait for passing prey. Each part of its anatomy shows interesting adaptations - the antennae are bristling with sensory hairs to detect movement, the large mandibles are a prey-crushing tool, the powerful front legs are used for digging and the hind legs are equipped with long hairs for clearing loose soil.