beetle for id please

[kiltoncomp]

over the last few days hundreds of these beetles have appeared in my garden,
the photo does not show the colours of them to well, as they are much brighter in real life,
they are not just appearing on any one type of plant, but seem to be everywhere,(these were on an acer tree)


Brian,

[JRsbugs]

Looks like 'one' I had last year in my garden. Must be a good year for them!

Garden Chafer Beetle Phyllopertha horticola. I think!

Janet

[kiltoncomp]

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

Looks like 'one' I had last year in my garden. Must be a good year for them!

Garden Chafer Beetle Phyllopertha horticola. I think!

Janet

thanks for the id on this one, any idea what the food source is for them ?
they first appeared last week and seemed to be emerging from the grass on the lawn,(i was about to mow the lawn at the time, but have delayed cutting it until the beetles have gone)
being totally organic in the garden and of the opinion that all things have their place in the garden,there is no question of trying to get rid of these, even if they are "pests".

brian.

[JRsbugs]

It seems they eat a variety of foliage. Good to see another totally organic gardener, the natural cycle is amazing when you can observe it!

The larvae live on roots as do the Cock Chafer but they mature in one year.

[kiltoncomp]

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

It seems they eat a variety of foliage. Good to see another totally organic gardener, the natural cycle is amazing when you can observe it!

The larvae live on roots as do the Cock Chafer but they mature in one year.

that may well explain the under nourished looking patches on the lawn then
judging by the number of beetles there are, its a wonder we have still got a lawn at all
we get lots of cranefly as well, i have been told they also eat grass roots(the larvae , that is)

many thanks for the info,
Brian.