The Lesser Stag Beetle

Hello everyone! It's good to be back again, after spending some quality time with our friends.We had been looking forward to this reunion for years, so even the persistant April showers couldn't dampen our spirits as we showed them the local beauty spots, and some other places of interest. I still have loads of photos to go through, and edit, so it might take me a while before I can start sharing the latest photos, but in the mean time, these are some I had already saved.



The Lesser Stag Beetle     Dorcus  parallelopipedus
 






Despite it's name, neither sex of this beetle has antlers, and resembles the female Stag Beetle.



It is smaller than it's cousin the Stag Beetle, but it is still a relatively large beetle. It has a broad head and can be distinguished from the male Stag Beetle, by it's smaller mandibles and knobbed antennae, and from the female Stag Beetle, by it's all black wing cases, and it can be seen flying strongly in the early evening, often attracted to garden lights.The Lesser Stag Beetle feeds on sap and their larve develope in old tree stumps and other rotting wood, and the beetles can also be found  in the soft decaying wood of broad leaved trees, and in gardens where there are orchards, old hedges and trees.

 

The Adults are from 18, to 32mm. in size, and are similar in appearance to the related antelope beetle (Dorcus parallelus) of North America
If you would like to see a previous post of the Stag Beetle to compare click here 

and if you would like to see more critters from around the globe and join in the fun, just click on the link. SATURDAY'S CRITTERS and my thanks to Eileen for hosting.

The Blister Beetle

Mylabris Quadripunctata the scientific name, belongs to the family Meloidae, and is commonly called the Blister Beetle,
 
 

The Blister beetle lives in grasslands, meadows, and cultivated fields, where it feeds on pollen.
 

It is usually 10-15 millimeters, of cylindrical shape, and soft bodied, with the thorax being narrower than the head.
 

It flies from flower to flower, like a bee, and has a defencive secretion of a blistering agent, hence the name Blister Beetle.
   

This toxic liquid, oozes from the articulations, principally from the femoral-tibilal joints,
 

The poisonous chemical, which causes the painful blistering to the skin is called CANTHARIDIN.
 

Cantharidin is used medically to remove warts,and was used historically also as a major ingredient in dried or powered form in so-called love potions.I have posted one photo of this beetle already, when I still didn't know what it was called.I went back to the same place the following day and saw many more beetles, but didn't want to show more without knowing more about them. My thanks goes to Bob Bushell for giving me the ID, and to all of you who tried to help. It is very much appreciated. Although a little late I am linking up with Eileen on her meme Saturday's Critters.Do call in to see critters from around the world.
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS

Stag - night!

The Stag Beetle  Lucanus cervus

 

 

The Stag Beetle is named for the huge jaws (antlers) of the male,which are used to fight rival males in the breeding season.The female has normal jaws. Size is variable, female up to 30 - 40mm, male to 50 mm - 70. Can be seen in parks with old trees, and old forrests. Adults feed on sap oozing from wounded trees. When I saw this beetle it was in deep shade, and I didn't want to disturb it in case it flew away, so I had to lighten the photos considerably, which accounts for the bluish tinge. Their true colour is black and chestnut. The photos are not good, but it's an interesting beetle to show you.
 

Pollen Probe

The Bee Beetle

This is my second post of the Bee Beetle.Yesterday I unintentionally deleted it along with all of your lovely comments for which I apologize.