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RAUK - Archived Forum - Large insect.

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Large insect.:
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tim-f
Senior Member
Joined: 13 Apr 2008
No. of posts: 60


View other posts by tim-f 		Posted: 18 Apr 2010
Hi all.

Saw this large beetle type thing today on Mendip.  It was about 40mm long.  Anyone got any ideas?



Thanks,

Tim.
David Bird
Forum Specialist
Joined: 17 Feb 2003
No. of posts: 515


View other posts by David Bird 		Posted: 18 Apr 2010
Yes it is a female Oil Beetle probably Meloe proscarabaeus. The adults feed on various leaves and flowers by this photo , the ones in my garden feed on grass and Arum leaves. I have had over a dozen this year in my garden. The larvae feed on the food store and then the larvae of the various Lawn Bees Andrena species and close relatives.
British Herpetological Society Librarian and member of B.H.S Conservation Committee. Self employed Herpetological Consultant and Field Worker.
tim-f
Senior Member
Joined: 13 Apr 2008
No. of posts: 60


View other posts by tim-f 		Posted: 19 Apr 2010
Thanks David.

It has quite a life cycle!  Very interesting.

- Large insect.

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