strange insect

[claybasket]

I found a odd looking bug it was 3times as big as a ladybird its head had long antennas and a large fat body black with 4yellow marks at each corner ,it was about nearly 1inch long any idea what it was? no pics sorry.

[claybasket]

[Digeroo]

Does this help?

http://www.plantwise.org/default.aspx?site=234&page=4279&dsID=26515

harmonia axyridis f spectabilis - harliquin ladybird

If so - squash asap.

[pumkinlover]

I would not feel confident to say which species is the harlequin despite this excellent link.
Not enough to risk killing a friend!

[saddad]

Without a picture it sounds more like an Asparagus Beetle, think Lilly Beetle with the four paler square markings...

[artichoke]

Surely asparagus beetle is not an inch long?

[Digeroo]

Did not notice the inch long not sure the harlequin ladybird is an inch long.

[claybasket]

Hi Digeroo this bug had a separate head from the body if you know what I mean and rather long legs ,It wasn't the Harliquin Ladybird ? It could have been some kind of beetle !

[Mikeakabigman]

Try looking here, there are several beetles with yellow marks   http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/beetles.html

[claybasket]

Hi ,Mike thanks for the wonderful info on beetles and it looks like the SAXON BEETLE NO 2, I think its the same kind of markings so it is most likely the one I new someone would find it

[pumkinlover]

Fascinating- I never realised we had bugs that big here in the UK!

[Paulines7]

Glad you have been able to identify it, Claybasket. 

Talking of bugs, we have been inundated indoors with ground beetles running across our carpet this year.  We didn't know how they were getting in or if we had an infestation. 

We were puzzling this conundrum and I said to my son that they probably fly in when he is standing by the front door of an evening, having a ciggie.  He assured me they didn't fly and that it wasn't him letting them in.  He then picked one up and placed it on the back of his hand.  It immediately flew off!  He now closes the door when he goes for a ciggie and the problem seems to have gone away.   

Has anyone else had problems with beetles being indoors?