Strange Large Flying insert (dont think its a beetle?)

Nightace · #1 (**permalink**) 15-05-2011, 10:41 PM

Hey People,

This large and Loud insect was flying towards my outside light last night. I havent seen anything like it before and an trying to figure out what it is.
Based on it having six legs i figure its an insect. It was about the length of my small finger and was loud. Ive searched through many pictures of flying insects and have come to the conclusion its not a beetle. But am not sure.
It was attracted to light, was out at night, and spotted in the Southeast of Ireland.
Any ideas?

Thanks.

ladyhawk · #2 (**permalink**) 15-05-2011, 10:56 PM

Looks like the common cockchaffer

Kayleigh · #3 (**permalink**) 15-05-2011, 11:05 PM

There are lots of cockchafers about this year I have not seen any yet..

The Woodman · #4 (**permalink**) 16-05-2011, 06:21 AM

Agreed, Cockchafer it is.

Nightace · #5 (**permalink**) 16-05-2011, 03:41 PM

Thanks everyone. I had a read about them on wikipedia, seems more of them around in the past few years due to pesticide control being tightened, prob why I have never seen it before. I remember a few weeks ago seeing something similar at a distance(or rather hearding it), it was probably the same insect. Thanks for your help with identification!