After several attacks, all of which end by the beetle being flung back to some considerable distance, the insect regretfully abandons his prey.

I have kept two strong and lively caterpillars for a fortnight in the cage of my golden beetles, and nothing more serious occurred.

The trick of the suddenly extended posterior was too much for the ferocious mandibles.
The chief utility of the Golden Gardener lies in its extermination of all caterpillars that are not too powerful to attack.

It has one limitation, however: it is not a climber.

It hunts on the ground; never in the foliage overhead.