Cockchafer

Also known as the May Bug (this one was a bit late, being out in June), and capable of creating quite a 'bang' as it flies into windows at night, seemingly without hurting itself. It sat still while it was photographed both on the grass and then on my hand but sadly didn't open the tips of its antennae which can have six (female) or seven (male) branches. Most illustrations show its prothorax (the part in front of the wings) as being blackish, but this one was reddish like the wings, which I have seen in some other photos.
Malcolm

Cockchafer Beetle

On Tuesday, someone presented me with an unidentified beetle that appeared to be washed up at Saligo Bay. I'm sorry, I didn't get any pictures (it was very smelly and upon identificaction, was dealt with quickly!), but if that someone sees this entry, then thanks for bringing it in. As I thought at the time, it was a cockchafer beetle.

Lorna

Cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha)

Cockchafer resting up on heather near Bun-an-Uillt.  These big beetles used to be very common but they are much less so now due to pesticide use through the 20th century. 
They were very destructive to crops prior to this apparently - and in 1320, cockchafers (as a species) were taken to court in Avignon where they were ordered to leave town and relocate to a specially designated area, or be outlawed. All cockchafers who failed to comply were collected and killed.
That will have sorted them out....
Carl