Large Abdomin Insect on Upper FlatOriginally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.
I see these insects frequently in the open grassy areas of the upper flat. It seems like I see them mostly in the fall. I don’t know what these are, but their abdomen is huge!! I love the bumpy antennae.
Here’s a mating pair.
You are looking at Meloids, oil beetles, they’re common in spring on our coast paths here in Devon, UK, too. They are unique in that the larvae parasitize bees’ nests and feed on pollen stores and bee larvae. It’s a largish group, say 2100 spp worldwide