All About Beetles Blog

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30/06/10 - Edward Cross, Norfolk

Q. Hi Sarah. I am a farmer from Norfolk and manage a good quality, permanent pasture wildlife site. I have an agreement with our graziers that they will not use Ivermectin. Normally we have rapid cattle dung degradation but since Feb I have noticed dung has not been broken up. There is almost no insect life in it (though there are a few mites), whereas generally in the past, flies were almost immediately on dung and it was quickly riddled with holes looking more like a pepper-pot!! The graziers used Cydectin in July 2009. I have a photo taken earlier that month of a thoroughly holed dung, so I know that up until that time there was healthy insect activity (sorry, but I do not know much about what dung beetle activity there was). I therefore wonder if the cydectin treatment may have damaged the insect populations and they have not recovered yet. Is that possible? Also, I would appreciate your comments on whether cydectin and other avermectins would be best avoided? We used to use levamisole when we had our own cattle. I would greatly appreciate a response, thank you.

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09/06/10 - Jazmine Miles-Long, Herstmonceux

Q. I am a Taxidermist and have recently been studying an owl that was hit by a car in Windmill Hill East Sussex BN27 when investigating the stomach content I found some beetles that Irecognize from the area but I have no idea what they are called and can't seem to find any information or images on the internet and wondered if you could help me to identify them? they are black about 27mm in length including the two spikes out the front of the head like horns, they are not pincers like a stag beetle but smoothly attached to the head I can email a photograph if it helps? My Dad thinks they are some kind of wood beetle but that hasn't got me very far in finding out more. Thank you for your help.

A. This is the remnants of a Minotaur Beetle (Typhaeus typhoeus) one of the UK's most spectacular dung beetles.

28/05/10 - Lee Peters, Chipping Sodbury

Q. I found the most peculiar-looking beetle outside my back door this morning! I can't seem to identify it so I took some pictures. Is it possible to email you the pictures I've taken for your assistance in identifying it please? Many thanks.

A. It is a cockchafer, latin name Melontha melontha. The aren't rare but pretty spectacular!

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