Well at least I think that is what it is, beautiful insects, these ones live in the compost heap at my sister's house.
Printable View
Well at least I think that is what it is, beautiful insects, these ones live in the compost heap at my sister's house.
I'm sure they are pests, yet their iridescence shows up beautifully in that second shot, Rolf!:)
I don't think it's a Vine Chafer as they have plain green carapaces. I reckon it's a Rose Chafer (Cetonia aurata), which I first spotted last year... and is why I know the difference :) They lay their eggs in decaying organic matter, so a compost heap is JUST what they want!
...but your shots are much better than mine - my excuse was that the only position I could stand was on a ladder with the sun in my eyes ;)
Ah thanks will confirm and change the title, interestingly enough, they both were nesting amongst the potato plants which were growing in the compost heap. :)
I'd only seen pictures of the brown version, but after searching for Green Cock Chafer, I found a similar photo.:)
Interesting!
At least it's not one of these potato pests ; Colorado potato beetle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
We saw lots of them in the Lot Valley one year, when staying in a gite near Cahors.
I remember in my childhood seeing notices on farmland asking the public to notify the ministry of AF&F if they saw a Colorado beetle.
Oh, yes, so do I!;)
There are still posters warning about them when you go through customs as you return to Britain.:eek:
That's just what I thought when I read the comment!Quote:
Originally Posted by rolf