Big F***ing scary bugs last night

[Cap'n Custud]

So anyone else invaded by flying alien beetles last night?

Big fking flying things with HUGE pincers


I have never in all my years seen such things in this country.

Someone kindly pointed out to me as I was swearing like a trouper as one hit me that they are Stag Beetles.

[okgo]

maybug?

Yes I know its june but..

[tonyvid]

If they really hummed they are probably cockchafers(no, really!) Impressive thingies!! (eta - also known as maybugs..)



Stags beetles can fly but pretty unusual.

Edited by tonyvid on Wednesday 3rd June 11:01

[V8mate]

tonyvid said:

If they really hummed they are probably cockchafers(no, really!) Impressive thingies!! (eta - also known as maybugs..)

Also known as 'billywitches' in East Anglia. They are 'sticky' and if they hit your hair can easily get stuck/tangled in it.

Which renders me entirely safe from them

[Cap'n Custud]

Nope they were these, well they looked very much like these anyhow. About 2 inches long. And they fking flew!

Edited by Cap'n Custud on Wednesday 3rd June 11:10

[Invisible man]

Our cat brought one in last night.....sounded like a helicopter crashing

[Motown Junk]

Cap'n Custud said:

Nope they were these well looked very much like these anyhow. About 2 inches long. And they fking flew!

Stag Beetle. Common site flying round here this time of year.

When I was nipper, all the kids in the street would be out with their tennis rackets....

[V8mate]

Invisible man said:

Our cat brought one in last night.....sounded like a helicopter crashing

[NDA]

We've started hornet season around us....

A mahoosive one was buzzing us last night as we sat out - they are 'freaky big'. I should think being stung by one would be like having a hot nail hammered in you.

I'd happily trade Maybugs for Hornets.

[okgo]

NDA said:

We've started hornet season around us....

A mahoosive one was buzzing us last night as we sat out - they are 'freaky big'. I should think being stung by one would be like having a hot nail hammered in you.

I'd happily trade Maybugs for Hornets.

Quite, I was wandering around my parents house, and there was one 'just sat' on the curtain. fk me it was enormous, I left the room, and didn't go back in there.

[jamieboy]

What's this? (other than out-of-focus, etc., etc.)



...and for scale, against normal driveway monoblocks:



Pictures are from last June, I've never seen one here before or since.

[tonyvid]

Cap'n Custud said:

Nope they were these, well they looked very much like these anyhow. About 2 inches long. And they fking flew!

Edited by Cap'n Custud on Wednesday 3rd June 11:10

I wish I could see some of those!! Lucky thing but please don't tt it

[V8mate]

jamieboy said:

What's this? (other than out-of-focus, etc., etc.)



...and for scale, against normal driveway monoblocks:



Pictures are from last June, I've never seen one here before or since.

Yep - that's a cockchafer (Billywitch)

[V8mate]

This is what they look like with wings out - the shell opens first then the more delicate wings inside

[jamieboy]

V8mate said:

Yep - that's a cockchafer (Billywitch)

Cheers.

Is this one a girl (no 'antlers') compared to a boy in Tonyvid's picture?

edit - actually, in Tonyvid's picture the whole head looks to be more seperate?

Edited by jamieboy on Wednesday 3rd June 11:38

[The Walrus]

Sounds like a stag beetle to me also had one head butting the window last night, was it flying as if it was drunk if you know what I mean not exactly like it was in control ?

[Cap'n Custud]

@ V8Mate - Yep, that is what it looked like when flying! scared the st out of me. Well I say it. There were about 10-15 of em!!!!

And yes is was flying like it was pissed!

Tonyvid - wouldn't dream of tg one, i had a feeling they were rare so i just got out of their way.

[tonyvid]

Cap'n Custud said:

@ V8Mate - Yep, that is what it looked like when flying! scared the st out of me. Well I say it. There were about 10-15 of em!!!!

And yes is was flying like it was pissed!

Tonyvid - wouldn't dream of tg one, i had a feeling they were rare so i just got out of their way.

Good girl

10-15 - thats a squadron!!! That has to be pretty rare sight.

[V8mate]

tonyvid said:

Cap'n Custud said:

@ V8Mate - Yep, that is what it looked like when flying! scared the st out of me. Well I say it. There were about 10-15 of em!!!!

And yes is was flying like it was pissed!

Tonyvid - wouldn't dream of tg one, i had a feeling they were rare so i just got out of their way.

Good girl

10-15 - thats a squadron!!! That has to be pretty rare sight.

I've only ever seen them in swarms - usually buzzing round a certain type of tree ( can't remember which) and why it's such a nightmare when the sticky buggers head for you.

[Invisible man]

tonyvid said:

Cap'n Custud said:

@ V8Mate - Yep, that is what it looked like when flying! scared the st out of me. Well I say it. There were about 10-15 of em!!!!

And yes is was flying like it was pissed!

Tonyvid - wouldn't dream of tg one, i had a feeling they were rare so i just got out of their way.

Good girl

10-15 - thats a squadron!!! That has to be pretty rare sight.

must've sounded like a 1000 bomber raid!