Alder beetles - tough in ANY light!

[Paul]

This managed to get into the house - and after following it's rescue to the garden, it posed by a way of thanks on the agapanthus...

 

Paul.

[Ryewolf]

Excellent set, they are almost as bad as Ladybirds

[Paul]

I had to work on the highlights Geoff - not an easy subject.

Paul.

[Ryewolf]

Just now, Paul said:

not an easy subject

I know, I've also photographed them, I also tend to avoid taking images of ladybirds too, even on sunny days which don't need a flash they are still a pain.....

[Paul]

Them elytras are so tough, in more ways than one!

Paul.

[johntwo]

The end result is excellent Paul.  

[Paul]

Thank you John 

Paul.

[Denis]

I'm wondering if these are what we call locally as Rapeseed beetles, irritating little beeetles that live and feed in Oilseed Rape fields. If you wear a bright green or and red or orange safety clothing you nearly get driven bonkers by the damn things in the summer !

They didnt call me the 'man in black' for no reason!

 

[Paul]

Rapeseed beetles - or flea beetles as farmers call them, can and do decimate rapeseed.

TBH, it's hard to me to distinguish clearly between the two - though the reason I called this alder, is because they are common around here, and there are few rapeseed crops locally (the nearest I know of is at least 25-30 miles away roughly) - though I accept they could feasibly fly a good distance.

There are many alder beetles found at Brockholes, just down the road from me.

Paul.