Nimrod Ground Beetle Anthia nimrod

This Ground Beetle, as its Latin name "Nimrod" indicates, is a fast hunter. It is native to several countries in Africa, including West Africa. Like most ground beetles, it eats insect pests. This one preys on crickets and locusts and is one of the fastest running beetles on the planet (it doesn't fly). It can also spray acid which temporarily immobilises its prey. It can grow to some 5cm.

Most have four white spots on their black body but some, as above, have six: four on the wing cases plus two on the thorax, inviting confusion with the six-spotted Domino Beetle (Anthia sexguttatus) of Iran, Pakistan and India.