What is this giant buzzing beetle in my garden shed?

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A user discovered a large beetle, likely a Sexton Beetle, in their garden shed, noting its distinct lower-pitched buzz and significant wingspan of at least two inches. After it crashed into a window and was eventually squished, the user debated its identification, considering it could be either "Nicrophorus investigator" or "Nicrophorus defodiens." The discussion highlighted the difficulty in distinguishing between similar beetle species and included humorous exchanges about the beetle's resilience, with one user joking about a potential "zombie beetle apocalypse" after the beetle mysteriously disappeared after being squished. The beetle was ultimately returned to the outdoors, with the user expressing a mix of fascination and concern about its presence.
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Found this "not so little" beast flying round my garden shed today. A lower pitched "buzz" than a typical bee - it sounded a bit like a very small motorbike engine! I presume it's some sort of beetle. The wingspan was at least 2 inches.

The first picture is after it crashed into the window - and presumably a bit disoriented, considering the "thwack" when it hit the glass. (As you can see my garden shed is not going to win any competitions for being clean and tidy!)

The second picture is after it was dead - it took several goes to squish it. I judged that anything that big, and color coded orange and black, was a bit risky to deal with trying to get a good picture while it was still alive.

FYI the UK 50p piece for size comparison is 27.3mm (1.075in) diameter.
 

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Some type of Sexton Beetle, perhaps "Nicrophorus investigator", which is under "Sexton Beetle (2)" on this page:

http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/beetles.html"
 
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Jonathan Scott said:
Some type of Sexton Beetle, perhaps "Nicrophorus investigator", which is under "Sexton Beetle (2)" on this page:

http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/beetles.html"
Actually, andre found it, look above.

Sexton Beetle - Nicrophorus defodiens

http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/62286573
 
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Evo said:
Actually, andre found it, look above.

Sexton Beetle - Nicrophorus defodiens

http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/62286573

Yes, I saw that, but "Sexton Beetle" covers a range of beetles with similar markings and I wouldn't necessarily be sure that it's the "defodiens" one. I chose "Nicrophorus investigator" from several similar ones because I think it's a common one in the UK (as indicated by the choice of coin), but it could well be another one.
 
The defodiens looks identical to me. Wow, those are some crazy antenae.
 
I call "investigator" not "defodiens". Red bulbs on the antennae not black, and the description of its flying capabilities on the weksite was spot on as well.

It may be "common" in the UK but it's the first one I've seen in a lifetime. FWIW, a neighbour spent all of yesterday felling and shredding a long row of 20 foot tall leylandii (good riddance to them, they were never trimmed to make anything like a hedge, just a sprawling half-dead mess - but there's no guarantee he will replace them with anything more sensible!). So I guess it literally came out of the woodwork.
 
AlephZero said:
I call "investigator" not "defodiens". Red bulbs on the antennae not black, and the description of its flying capabilities on the weksite was spot on as well.
Ok, we need a poll, obviously you are not qualified to judge. :biggrin:

Oh rats, now that you mention it, I do see that the tips aren't black.

Ok, JS wins! Investigator it is! So yours is the punk version. :-p
 
Evo said:
So yours is the punk version. :-p

Actually I think it's the zombie version.

It took about 4 goes to squash it hard enough to stop its legs waving in the air. I left it on the kitchen table on a piece of polystyrene, after taking the picture with the coin.

I just went back to try and get a big closeup of an antenna ... and it's gone. There's one leg left behind (not twitching!), but the rest of it has crawled off somewhere. Unbelievable.

Unless I also have a invisible beetle-eater living in the kitchen :eek:
 
  • #10
AlephZero said:
Actually I think it's the zombie version.

It took about 4 goes to squash it hard enough to stop its legs waving in the air. I left it on the kitchen table on a piece of polystyrene, after taking the picture with the coin.

I just went back to try and get a big closeup of an antenna ... and it's gone. There's one leg left behind (not twitching!), but the rest of it has crawled off somewhere. Unbelievable.

Unless I also have a invisible beetle-eater living in the kitchen :eek:
(note to self - never go to Aleph's house )

You might want to sleep with one eye open tonight...

Zombie beetle apocalypse!
 
  • #11
Evo said:
Zombie beetle apocalypse!

Today, it was busy practising gymnastics on the stem of a house plant.

The picture is technically yuck (beetle in shade, background in full sunlight). But I just love the expression on its face.

It's now back outside where it belongs!
 

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