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Quote: Originally posted by AaronR on 27/4/2012

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Also they are known as Billywitches around Suffolk!

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I've never heard them called that and I'm suffolk born & breed  googled billywitch and apparently its a northern name for them.

For those that aren't sure what they are they are beetles the size of a 10p that live underground and fly rather clumsily in the evening making a buzzing noise.

I only twigged after I posted a reply on this thread that Tynxuk was referring to a specific insect, I thought she just meant bugs in June!

I think I've seen them - I was sitting under my lilac tree in the garden last summer watching dusk fall and one of those bugs flew in loud and low, engines stalling and somehow managed to pull up to avoid hitting me in the face.  He was followed by his mates returning to base - in the end my courage failed me and I retreated to the safety of the house.

The next day I was again sitting in the garden and became aware of my Jack Russell terrier, Lily, digging in the lawn.  She was digging the bugs up, and I'm afraid to say, she ate a couple.  There are few more revolting sights in nature than a small dog eating a large bug.

I managed to get a good look at them and they are big and beautiful.  Or in Lily's mind, a nice meaty snack.  Yeuch.

Quote: Originally posted by Tynxuk on 27/4/2012

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Quote: Originally posted by AaronR on 27/4/2012

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Also they are known as Billywitches around Suffolk!

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I've never heard them called that and I'm suffolk born & breed  googled billywitch and apparently its a northern name for them.

For those that aren't sure what they are they are beetles the size of a 10p that live underground and fly rather clumsily in the evening making a buzzing noise.

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Oh, I thought they were smaller, but yes, those on my face weren't the size of 10p's. I would have had to have been sent to a mental hospital if they had been that size!

On the note of June bugs though, I can't say I've really noticed them. I see something similar on the ground every so often and I always thought they were rain beetles.

Oh golly, My first camping trip could be interesting after reading this post and finding out the first campsite I'm off to in Lincoln at the end of May has had them.  one lady said they were flying at her..  nice  maybe I need a head net  lol  Just worried about my 2yr boy

zoe