My friend from up the road has thousands of those on his property. Any idea what kind they are? Will they eat everything, or are they harmless? Are they native ? Should he worry or just let them do their thing?
thousands of "beetles"
Sun, 03/02/2013 - 21:30
#1
Araminta
thousands of "beetles"
I don't know what species they are, Araminta, but that looks like a Lomandra they're on. Are the critters on any other plants or just one? If they're on just one & it's a native plant such as a Lomandra then that suggests they're native & have a relationship with the plant. Are there signs of damage to the plants hosting the beetles?
Are there any predators of these beetles? Such a mass of beetles would perhaps attract a bird or two or three.
If I was your neighbour I'd be observing closely to see what happens. Exciting times could be ahead.
I saw some of these on Christmas Day a year ago here is a link to what they are (Plague Soldier Beetles, Chauliognathus lugubris) - they are native and this is a meeting for group mating. The ones I saw were around for about two days then they were all gone!
Alison
~~~~~~
"the earth is not only for humans, but for all animals and living things."
Thanks Woko, and thanks for your great info Alison. We will just let them do their thing (
) as a group then.
M-L
As I would have said if I was a bit younger: Sounds like a plan.