Hi all

Just joined - will post some wildlife photos I have taken soon, but I mainly joined as I need some help identifying a large flying beetle that flew into my house last night...

I live in East Anglia and in the very small hours of the morning a large flying beetle came in though the kitchen window, I have only ever seen one of these before in South Wales a number of years ago. I have done endless searches various website and google etc. but no luck so was hoping you guys maybe able to shed some light on it!

Description
The beetle was around 3 inches long and possibly 1 ½ inches wide, I think it had a brown shell although I can’t be sure (it was very late and I was very sleepy and my girlfriend screaming the house down didn‘t help either!!), it's underside had black and white chequered pattern and what appeared to be a large sting on the end of it’s tail, it had hook like feet with lots of barbs running up it’s legs and moth like antennas (lots of very fine hairs coming out horizontally of a main stem/hair)

That's about all I can remember about it, sorry no pics of it - I didn't have my camera to hand...

Hope you can help,

Cheers

Smurph

Welcome to the forum Smurph.

The beetle sounds very much like a Cock-chafer to me, these are quite common around this time of year and are attracted to light.
Here is a photo of one i have found on the net.

http://www.treknature.com/gallery/Europe...116663.htm

This post was last modified: 01-06-2008 04:26 PM by AndyK.

That's the one! Thanks very much for the info

Cheers
Smurph

Ps am just sorting my pics and getting them uploaded, am going to the zoo as hoping to get some good pics of the big cats!

This post was last modified: 01-06-2008 04:43 PM by SMurph.