Large black insect

[inastate]

I know this is a predominintly British wildlife forum but I thought I'd ask anyway.

When I was about 8 I was in France and I remember going to the countryside to an area where they were constructing a medieval village or something. There was a large wooden beam stuck into the ground and on it I seem to remember being there a large oval black beetle. Now that part doesn't sound too odd, but from what I remember it had a see through red point of some sort facing downwards from its back with what appeared to be a weird air bubble inside.

Any ideas what it was?

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by inastate

I know this is a predominintly British wildlife forum but I thought I'd ask anyway.
When I was about 8 I was in France and I remember going to the countryside to an area where they were constructing a medieval village or something. There was a large wooden beam stuck into the ground and on it I seem to remember being there a large oval black beetle. Now that part doesn't sound too odd, but from what I remember it had a see through red point of some sort facing downwards from its back with what appeared to be a weird air bubble inside.
Any ideas what it was?

Going to need to think about that! I wonder if it was artificial?