we seem to be a local hot spot for the violet oil beetle. It likes this habitat of grass, wild flowers and leaf mould to be found on the edge of glades and woody hedgerows. This is a male, and he was warming up in the sun. Given their very complicated life cycle (qv, and
link) it is amazing that they seem so common around here.
3 comments:
Ah, the triungulins. What an amazing life cycle.
I never knew that! I just read the very interesting article about their life cycle.
Are these the creatures commonly called Rain Beetles?
No, they are not rain beetles, but they are related to beetles that are the source of Spanish fly. We will keep our eyes peeled for triungulins but we haven't seen them yet.
Post a Comment