May bugs?

[Woodworks]

In recent evenings out around the yard I am hearing what sounds like May bugs with that heavy drone they make. Would they still be around at this time of year if not what else could they be?

 

Thanks

[ABtrees]

40 minutes ago, Woodworks said:

In recent evenings out around the yard I am hearing what sounds like May bugs with that heavy drone they make. Would they still be around at this time of year if not what else could they be?

 

Thanks

I would think it more likely to be some other beetle, maybe a late stag beetle, lesser stag .  The other name for a Maybug is the Cockchafer and there are plenty of other chafer beetles that fly.  Hopefully (for you) they aren't Longhorn (as they can ruin any untreated timber - have a look at my recent post on the 'iggly, iggly thread and you'll see why) !!!  The only real way to tell is to catch one - butterfly net and a torch rather than tennis racquet !

[Yournamehere]

25 minutes ago, ABtrees said:

The only real way to tell is to catch one - butterfly net and a torch rather than tennis racquet !

Have a word with bmp01, see if you can borrow the electronic device he uses for zapping bats

[Paul in the woods]

The common cockchafer lays eggs in July, so perhaps there's still some about due to the very dry July we've had? I'm sure I say one at the start of this month.

 

Other low buzzing critters we have at the moment are hornets, they are often about late in the evening.

[ABtrees]

1 minute ago, Paul in the woods said:

Other low buzzing critters we have at the moment are hornets, they are often about late in the evening.

Yeah - good call - they can fly in the dark and they are attracted to light (actually to harvesting the other insects attracted to the light) - maybe rethink the tennis racquet just in case !

[Woodworks]

I did catch sight of one briefly. Not a hornet but it was dumpy and black. Almost looked scruffy if that makes any sense.

 

Might try and catch one this evening as Liz has a butterfly net somewhere. 

 

Looked up pictures of flying stag beetles and that could well be it. Quite a lot of them about last night that's for sure. 

Edited August 18, 2018 by Woodworks

[Woodworks]

Never saw the black bugs again but tonight every outside light is swarming with hornets. Never seen more than the odd one before but must be dozens if not hundreds around. 

[Yournamehere]

29 minutes ago, Woodworks said:

Never saw the black bugs again but tonight every outside light is swarming with hornets. Never seen more than the odd one before but must be dozens if not hundreds around. 

So did you catch any?

Hornets are cool a.f. They just sort of buzz up to you, have a look at you, sort of say, yeah, go on then, and with a derisive sniff just sort of turn and buzz of.

You gotta love 'em.

[Peasgood]

I've heard them droning about my yard this week but couldn't see what it was.

Have never seen a hornet in this country in my life.

Edited August 22, 2018 by Peasgood

[Woodworks]

37 minutes ago, Yournamehere said:

So did you catch any?

Hornets are cool a.f. They just sort of buzz up to you, have a look at you, sort of say, yeah, go on then, and with a derisive sniff just sort of turn and buzz of.

You gotta love 'em.

I looked them in the eye and made a hasty retreat.....