[monkeynic]

Hi all, we have seen some weird gold metallic looking beetles down our allotment, mainly the cabbage patch. Just wondering what they are and if they cause any damage to anything? Have seen some nibbling on plants but think thats slug damage. Any ideas?

[sal]

saw one of these yesterday,it was on a dock leaf,beautiful isnt it?

[monkeynic]

they look really nice, we seem to have loads of them. Just worried they will do damage.

[walltoall]

Aw go on monkeynic gizza picture of the beetle or tell us how big it is in terms of your fingers. There are maybe 3,000,000 different true beetles worldwide with maybe 1000 found in Ireland. Pretty much all of them are either harmless or are gardener's friends (well not the weevils). Many eat plant material, but are usually very picky. Some will eat decaying organic matter of almost any kind. Some will only eat fungus and then often just one type of fungus.

There are predatory beetles, think ladybirds that only eat other insects, and some that eat carrion. Some prefer aquatic organisms, or specialize in eating snails, or aphids. Others eat any meat they can get their chops around.

If you really want an enemy in your garden it'll be an aphid. Keep up the good work there.

[monkeynic]

I'll take a picture tomorrow when I'm at the allotment. They are about the size of little finger nail. Very pretty looking. Sounds like I dont need to worry about them Although I admit aphids are driving me mad.

[SorchaBC]

I have a weird beetle around here too. I've only seen it at night, it's pretty big, about 2.5-3.5 inches long and easily an inch wide. It's green gold in colour, with red antennae that finish in little fluffy/spikey bits (think of a bottle brush plant on the ends and you get the idea).
One little dude was on his back on the porch this morning totally stuck, and I felt sorry for the poor divil so I righted him and he went on his merry way. Now I'm wondering if I should have maybe have removed him from the garden?
Went onto a site that lists every beetle in Ireland, though there's a few they don't have pictures of, and couldn't see him there. Have seen a few of them about in the evenings so I don't think it's rare or anything. Does anyone know the thing I'm talking about? If I have a camera to hand next time I see one I'll try grab a snap.

[walltoall]

http://www.nationalinsectweek.co.uk/insects/cockchafer.php This link is purely tentative, but it's great that Irish Gardeners are into the bigger gardening picture and seeing and reporting the garden wildlife. If you are serious about your measurements you've got a right whopper and it's way too big for a temperate zone (flying?) beetle. Stag beetles come to mind but the colour is not right and you said nothing about horns. (harmless although the female can nip)

[monkeynic]

Definitely not the one I've found anyway. The ones we have got are gold and with a metallic sheen. Really mad looking.

[SorchaBC]

Not my beetle dude either, though the antenna are sort of similiar, though they were more bristle-y and quite red, almost bright red. It was a big bloody bug alright, and I did think that it didn't look, well, Irish Definately have to get a picture and measure the thing, will leave the porch light on tonight and see if I can catch one (gaaaah - don't like unknown creepies, might be a job for himself).

[James Kilkelly]

A tie in with a recent topic perhaps............ Green Leaf Beetle

[paul5000]

I have loads of them little fellas, great to know they love eating docks. most of them seam to be in my potato patch and can see no damage by them. Properly cause a potato leaf to a beetle might taste like a raw potato to us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!