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Trichius, fasciatus/ zonatus
The Bee beetle, a Scarab flower chafer, eating a Spear Thistle in the Scottish Highlands.
Beautiful find, this beetle has no enemies but birds as it deco on its back resembles big eyes and a face to scare predators..such a nice picture.
I like hairy beetles, I would call him Ringo ... must be something seeing them in flight?
Looking at all the images on Google I can't determine what stands between the zonatus and fasciatus...
Thankyou Podevijn, and Reza. Which shall I choose, Trichius zonatus or fasciatus?? I am not sure yet. I shall go off and decide, but thanks very much indeed to you both. This fellow was great to meet. Ignored me completely, or at least when he wondered what the big lense was up at him he just stuck himself more deeply into the Thistle and kept on eating. Marvellous little creature.
Awesome spotting....Yours looks like a Trichius fasciatus but I am not sure so am adding a link for you to look at and maybe help you identify this cool bug :) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bee_beetle