a range of identification/behaviour queries

[thebeard]

on a recent walk around a couple of patches i got these photos, just wanting some help please.

firstly, these acrobatic beetles, which i have id'd as garden chafers. am i right? there were loads of these flying about and they just would stay still. they showed some strange behaviour, dancing and flying about, hanging onto leaves with one limb and generally being restless. can anyone explain? also they grouped together or just stayed on their own, and foamed up. i can only imagine this is a reproductive behaviour. if anyone has any info i'd be most grateful


also i would like ID of this beetle, found on a stinging nettle ( i think...)


and finally a couple more ids

this caterpillar, on vetch


and this moth, some sort of carpet moth i think, but i've noticed there are lots of similar species!!!



many thanks
tom

[squishy]

For number one, Garden chafer, Phyllopertha horticola as you suggested.

For the blue beetle, I'd suggest a flea beetle Altica sp. (same as my avatar).

The caterpillar is a Burnet moth, probably Six-spot Burnet Zygaena filipendulae.

[Jason Green]

Afternoon Tom,

As Adam says the blue beetle is a Flea Beetle, Chrysomelidae family. An identification even to genus can only be made with a specimen under the microscope. Even then it can take a while to get there, with plenty of elytral and ventral work.

Take care,

Jason

[aeshna5]

Agree with Squishy the beetle is an Altica sp- the 6 spp are similar, so that microscope neede for full ID.

Moth is a Silver-ground Carpet- I'm seeing a few about in the day at the moment.

[Jason Green]

Just as a note of caution, you need to examine a specimen for elytral punctuation, hind claw dilation, hind tibial ridging etc., none of which would show easily in the best field images.

Here I can see the antennae are most likely 11-segmented, but not enough detail shows in the field so I don't think we can really say better than Flea Beetle I'm afraid.

[thebeard]

cheers folks brilliant work! what about the weird chafer behaviour?

[Geoff F]

I would suggest the Garden Chafers were in a mating mood.

I'm finding a lot of insects are difficult to photograph at the moment. Females are busy laying eggs out of sight while males are desperately rushing around looking for any spare females.

[thebeard]

yep this is what i found that day!!!