| This is a
huge beetle, probably the largest species found in
Nottinghamshire. It's large size struck us when we found
this adult on a Sallow trunk in Gamston Wood near Retford
in July 2010 and more recently in June 2011 (top two
photographs). On the day, we also saw a second beetle
alight near the top of another Sallow in the adjacent
Eaton Wood. These are believed to be the first site
records, but this is a scarce beetle in Nottinghamshire
anyway, and it's stronghold may possibly be along the
Trent and Idle Valleys. Named after it's ability to
produce a pleasant smell, Aromia moschata is a
beetle that can also produce an audible sound when
handled. It's also one of the Longhorn Beetles and
frankly, has no comparison in size with any others. As an
aid to helping appreciate this beetle's size, the lower
left photograph shows Aromia moschata on the
same Umbellifer flowerhead as a Rhagonycha fulva
(a species familiar to most people) |
