Description 1-1 3/8" (25-36 mm). Black with dark greenish gold on sides of head and prothorax. Bluish luster on femora. Elytra greenish or blackish blue, edged with gold, fine lengthwise grooves and lines of elongate pits. Male has reddish hair inside curved middle tibiae and hind tibiae. From above, prothorax appears broadly oval, constricted before base of the elytra.

Food Caterpillars.

Life Cycle Eggs are left singly on soil. Larvae pupate in earthen cells. Adults overwinter and live up to 3 years, active May-November.

Habitat Gardens, crop fields, and open woods.

Range Throughout the United States and southern Canada.

Discussion Adults and larvae sometimes climb trees in search of prey, adults by day and larvae at night. These insects are highly beneficial because they prey on caterpillars. The Fiery Hunter (C. calidum), 3/4-1" (20-25 mm), has 6 rows of golden dots on its elytra. The introduced European Caterpillar Hunter (C. sycophanta), 3/4-1 1/8" (20-30 mm), has a dark blue thorax and bright, golden-green elytra.