Heather beetle swarm?

[Midgie]

We've had a swarm of these greenish-brown flying beetles over this weekend, particularly heavy yesterday which was the first warm day of the year. A Google search brought up news reports of Heather Beetle swarms in this area in previous years and the photos look pretty similar. We live about a quarter of a mile from heather moorland. Anyone recognise it?

[Beekeeper]

Cant help you with ID but what i will say is the heather beetle can cause immense damage to the heather, as a beekeeper, these insects seemed to appear in great numbers a few years ago and it was stated that they had the ability to wipe out large areas thus ruining any heather honey crop if any beekeeper had hives out in the area affected.

Ian

[iainL]

I remember keying out this species from 10+ years ago when we were 'living among the heather'. The beetles (Lochmaea suturalis - heather beetle) were everywhere and I would certainly say your picture is of that species. They hibernate as adults and when they emerge they eat the growing tips of Calluna (although they can survive on some grasses as well). I would guess a visit to your nearby moorland would show you these creatures in both action and abundance.

Iain

[Midgie]

Thanks Ian and Iain. I hope the heather survives all right, the bees have enough to cope with, don't they? The reports I read all focussed on the problems for the grouse (ie for the shoots!) but I'd be more concerned about the bees.

Karen