Topic: Anyone name these beautiful beetles ?

[MagpieDi]

Found them today, and would like to know if friend or foe ? Thanks.


Sorry about the focus, it just wouldn't stay still !   ::)

[tim]

What size MD? And what on?

[MagpieDi]

Approx just under an inch long Tim, a bit longer and wider than a vine weevil, but very similar shape.

Just came across a couple in my herbaceous perennial bed, nowhere near the veggie patch.

Have googled dozens of pages, no joy. In fact, when I close my eyes tonight , they'll be crawling all over me !!  Shudder !!  ;)

[wardy]

I get those in my garden.  I don't think they're a pest.  They look too gorgeous  ;D

[MagpieDi]

They are very pretty Wardy, compared with some of the really ugly beasties I've been viewing these past couple of days !   :)   Still haven't found a matching image!   ::)

[Gadfium]

Could it be a burying or sexton-beetle (Necrophorus vespilloides)?

The colouration, antennae, and gereral body shape look about right... ' spring-summer; widespread in agricultural areas, grasslands...'  size range usually up to 18mm, what's that, about 3/4"?

[wardy]

I think that's it Gadfium!  Apparently it uses the decaying carcases of dead animals, eg mice, shrews etc to lay its eggs in

[MagpieDi]

Thanks for the helpful suggestion Gadfium. Seems the nearest to it, altho' the spots were definitely bright red, not orange.
Must say, they've got a weird feeding habit !!  Fascinating.

[faerie9]

Wow!!!!

I found one of those a couple of summers ago, took piccies, looks exactly like the piccie above... never did find out what it was.

Thank you for finding out (despite the fact I'd all but forgotten about it!!)

[Merry Tiller]

Sexton beetle?