really weird beastie question

[Chillum]

I'm fairly new to the South of England, and saw a big horrible beastie last night, that I'd like to identify. It was about 1.5" to 2" long and fairly meaty, about the size of my thumb. It had brown wings, folded over its back. Under the wing it had a white markings, kind of like a dog-tooth pattern - a series of 5 or six skewed triangles. It had long thin legs and the end of it's antennae had a loop. It's head was fairly small in comparison to the rest of it - shaped like a praying mantis. It was also the clumsiest, most usless flyer I've ever seen. It would eventually get up to the window, fly straight into it, knock itself down onto it's back, struggle to right itself, the do exactly the same again, time and time again.  Any of you entomologist out there know what it was?

[spudqueen]

It could be a may bug. If you put may bug in Google you should be able to find a picture of one.

[gen2]

It could be a June bug. If you put "June bug" into Google you should be able to find a picture of one.

You could also try "cockchafer" or "Melolontha melolontha".  They are all the same beastie.

[netibiza]

Sounds very like a cicada to me.

[gen2]

I lived in Sussex for 20 years and never heard a cicada.  I am not aware of any cicadas in the south of England. If you look at the picture on this site you will see the white triangles that Chillum mentions.  http://www.rspb.org.uk/gardens/guide/atoz/c/cockchafer.asp  I will concede though that other characteristics described don't entirely match a cockchafer.  Let's see what Chillum thinks after looking at some pictures.

[gen2]

Further research reveals that there is in fact a cicada found in the UK. Cicadas are very rare in England and only one species is found. This species is called the New Forest Cicada (Cicadetta montana) and it is only known from the New Forest, in Hampshire.  A picture of one is here:    http://www.ukbap.org.uk/UKPlans.aspx?ID=216  Its wings appear transparent rather than brown and its wings (at least in the specimen pictured) are held more to the side of its body).  The final reason that cicadas can be eliminated is because they only emerge (from nymphs) in September to November.  I still think that the best bet is a cockchafer.

[Chillum]

Yup, that's the little bngger! a cockchafer (never even heard of that before). Being from rather more northern climes, the biggest thing I'm used to is forkie-tail (earwig). Thanks to all.

[shaz-rla]

I know chillum, I came down from Scotland to Norfolk and these things came rattling down my chimney, they become awake  at dusk and as soon as it becomes dark they look like they are dead! No one had warned me about them they are also called blind bees around here.  I thought they were cockroaches at first but they are quite furry. I must start looking out for them very soon!  I am led to believe they lay there larvae which look like fat caterpillars with legs at the front, in the soil.

[FP]

Oooh, shaz-rla, I live in Norfolk and haven't seen any - thank goodness!!

[spudqueen]

Glad you identified it Chillum. Watch out for bats round about, they love them!

[Chillum]

c'mon the bats!

[Picc45]

Sounds like a May Bug to me- or what is called a "Billy Witch" in Suffolk. And yes, they can & do get stuck in your hair. All the girls wear caps whilst bringing in their horses round these parts for just that reason. UGH!