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| 1 | 2 |  » Stats |
Members: 50,153
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| | Welcome to our newest member, Xalrahc | |  | 
31-07-2011, 10:22 AM
| | New Member | | Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2
| | | What are these, and will they harm my plants?
My astrantia major in the garden were covered in these flying insects a couple of days ago - can anyone tell me what they are? I can't find them in my reference book.
Thanks - any help is appreciated!  |
31-07-2011, 10:46 AM
|  | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Leigh, Lancashire
Posts: 5,900
| | | Re: What are these, and will they harm my plants?
The look like Soldier beetles to me - a very common instect on flower heads at this time of year  |
31-07-2011, 12:38 PM
|  | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sheffield, FPRSY
Posts: 7,655
| | | Re: What are these, and will they harm my plants?
Yes, as PMG says, soldier beetles (Cantharidae) they are feeding on nectar and pollen to give them the energy to mate - which they do prodigiously. They are particularly common on umbellifer flowers which give them a stable platform for mating! They'll do the plants no harm.
Welcome.
Last edited by Paul mabbott; 31-07-2011 at 12:39 PM.
Reason: afterthought
|
31-07-2011, 03:40 PM
| | Knight Grand Cross of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,610
| | | Re: What are these, and will they harm my plants?
Yes it's Rhagonycha fulva- pretty abundant currently + has earnt the alternative name of "Hogweed Bonking Beetle" due to it's liking of this plant + it's amorous inclinations.
No problem for your Astantia which is in the same family as Hogweed. |
02-08-2011, 07:38 PM
| | New Member | | Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2
| | | Re: What are these, and will they harm my plants?
Thanks to everyone who responded - my wildlife book does have a picture, but it's of a pale greenish beetle, though oddly the text refers to their 'red colour', makes no sense...!
Good to know my flowers are safe - I will henceforth tell everyone I know that I have Hogweed Bonking Beetle in my garden! |
02-08-2011, 07:51 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sheffield, FPRSY
Posts: 7,655
| | | Re: What are these, and will they harm my plants?
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2dot  Thanks to everyone who responded - my wildlife book does have a picture, but it's of a pale greenish beetle, though oddly the text refers to their 'red colour', makes no sense...!
Good to know my flowers are safe - I will henceforth tell everyone I know that I have Hogweed Bonking Beetle in my garden! | The Cantharidae include not only the red 'soldier' beetles but the blue 'sailor' beetles as well as relatives of most every shade: all are attractive and interesting beasts. | | |
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