Anyone name these beautiful beetles ?

Started by MagpieDi, April 03, 2005, 22:09:40

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MagpieDi

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


Sorry about the focus, it just wouldn't stay still !   ::)
Gardening on a wing and a prayer!!

MagpieDi

Gardening on a wing and a prayer!!

tim


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 !!  ;)
Gardening on a wing and a prayer!!

wardy

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

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!   ::)
Gardening on a wing and a prayer!!

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
I came, I saw, I composted

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.
Gardening on a wing and a prayer!!

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!!)


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