Forum home› Wildlife gardening
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Wee beastie ID

1634 Racine1634 Racine Posts: 568
in Wildlife gardening
Anybody got any idea what this is living under my lawn (other than what I presume will be a very tasty, nutritious meal for the next passing bird)?


«13

Posts

  • 1634 Racine1634 Racine Posts: 568
  • 1634 Racine1634 Racine Posts: 568
    Thanks @pansyface

    Kind of reminded me of the film Tremors when I dug him up.
  • JellyfireJellyfire Posts: 1,139
    edited May 2018
    Yep Chafer Bug, otherwise known as Cockchafer or Maybug. Had never seen one until we moved to Suffolk, and the first time I did I thought a little aeroplane was trying to dive bomb me! They are pretty incredible things, a bit like a flying out of control ping pong ball!
    Apparently the grubs can do a bit of damage to lawns when they emerge from underground, but between the molehills and rabbit holes I cant say as Ive ever noticed myself 
  • 1634 Racine1634 Racine Posts: 568

    Cockchafer?  Sounds nasty but nothing a new pair of underpants wont solve.

    Now that I have googled these guys I recognise the beetle.  They are pretty cool.  The grub gave me the creeps a bit though.

  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    But you were right in your OP the birds will love them.
    AB Still learning

  • JellyfireJellyfire Posts: 1,139
    1634 Racine said:

    Cockchafer?  Sounds nasty but nothing a new pair of underpants wont solve.


    :#  It gave me a big enough shock as it is when I first saw one, when I googled it and saw the name I went and hid under the bed!
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    Do cockchafer larvae really damage lawns, or is the damage done by birds digging them out?
  • 1634 Racine1634 Racine Posts: 568
    josusa47 said:
    Do cockchafer larvae really damage lawns, or is the damage done by birds digging them out?
    From what I have read it's the birds. The grubs eat route but not enough to cause damage.
  • DampGardenManDampGardenMan Posts: 1,054
    They're brilliant as beetles, little flying tanks! We had lots last year, I hope the bad summer didn't do for them ...
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 0
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
Sign In or Register to comment.