Big black flies??

Wildlife/Nature/Environment

Big black flies??

FairyNuff 09/05/2008, 19:18

Having finally managed to get into the garden for lunch in the sunshine the other day, we were astonished to be "buzzed" by what appeared to be a huge black fly. It was rather like the Hercules of the fly world, bigger than a bumble bee, black and shiny, very loud buzz. Are they dangerous, should we be wary of them, or are they harmless? We're in the Indre.

FairyNuff Blink [blink]

Do I come here often?

Re: Big black flies??

Callie 09/05/2008, 20:03
I've no idea what they are really called, but they are perfectly harmless. They patrol the walls of the house just below the roof and make a great deal of noise. We've always called them Lancaster Bombers !

Re: Big black flies??

Ron Avery 09/05/2008, 20:21

Probably a capenter bee

http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/1167732/ShowPost.aspx

I found a strange looking beetle the other day in some leaves that had fallen into a bucket, it was quite big, about 0.5"long, looked a bit like half an acorn both in colour and shape but on the side of its head it had two antenna shaped like small toothbrushes. Any ideas as to species?

Why not post a sensible answer, people will appreciate it more

Re: Big black flies??

chris pp 09/05/2008, 21:49

Cockchafer-Melolontha melolontha

Chris

http://www.planetepassion.com

Association Planete Passion - French Wildlife in the English Language

Re: Big black flies??

Clair 09/05/2008, 21:56
Hannetons???
How I hate these beasts..... When I was a child, my not-so-lovely siblings used to throw them in my hair, where they would get all tangled up and buzz away madly.... yuk!

Clair
Real Virtual French Person

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