Help Identifying flying beetle.

[chili1]

Hi, I was attacked by the mother of all flying beetles last night!. Its about 30mm long, 12mm wide. A dark brown colour, with two fern like antennas. The wings come out of its shell, kinda like a ladybirds wings. Its currently in a matchbox going nuts. Its big enough to move the matchbox around my desk!. Anybody know what it is?. Cheers.

[einion yrth]

[chili1]

I did take some pics on my digi cam last night, but my don't have a pc at home.
I'll try to load them onto my work pc later (when no one is looking!).

[406]

Sounds like a Stag Beetle to me, but I could be wrong.

[Rob-C]

One of these?



It's a may bug, also known as, and I kid you not, a Cock Chafer.

[d3ano]

What the hell is that all about!!!

Although in saying that a few of them have probably splatters against my bike lid whilst riding in the countryside.

[chili1]

Its similar to the may bug, don't think its is though.
Definately not getting anywhere near my c*ck!.

Its not got any hair on it, its got a smooth hard shell on it ( the beetle, not my....)

Bloke in work reckons it may be a sexton beetle?.

[love machine]

Melolontha melolontha -aka the common cockchafer.

I had one land on me and remember going "WHAT THE IS THAT!!!!!!!" We got the insect book out and found out what it is. The oddest looking thing possible and big with it.

[Podie]

Nah, this bug is clearly a "critter"

[YarisSi]

Feed it and get mates to bring some in and then have co... I mean beetle fights.

[wedge girl]

>> Edited by wedge girl on Friday 6th May 09:20

[chili1]

Confirmed as a may bug!.
Just let him go back to the wild.
Frightened a few of the women in the office on his way out!.

Thanks for all your replies.

[monkey boy 1]

Every now & again these beetles swarm in vast numbers. The last time they ran the Wilhire 24 hr race @ Snetterton was one of those years. That weekend you could set your watch by them. At 7pm they came out, possibly to mate. Anything white they swarmed around. Caravans were a prime target.
Even though they are harmless, they have an ability to cling to almost anything. Watching the girls running from Caravan to Caravan with loads of these beetles in persuit was quite a laugh. Even better were those kids who had badminton rackets. The beetles don't half "fly" when given a fore-arm smash.

[cazzer]

I was in japan last year visiting in-laws.
While sat at on a remote train station platform at night "something" landed on my arm.
It was an insect of some description but it was about 8" long and had WEIGHT when it landed

I'm not ashamed to say I squealed like a little girl and ran off down the platform.