Forget the fab four, think the fab 12. For the next 12 weeks, it’s quiz time again and this time, I will be testing your knowledge of British beetles. Many beetles have metallic or iridescent coloured elytra and thorax, making them - the real shining stars of the show. Beetles can live in a wide range of habitats. Some can fly and others cannot. Some have long antennae, and others long legs. Some have even mastered the art of disguise! Prepared to be be(et)dazzled and if you’re feeling lucky, perhaps you can even guess the bonus quiz question!Magical mystery beetle quiz #7Clue: Henry's wolsey.Bonus quiz: Hooky hour omit gluing.
Congratulations to all of you who guessed Common Cardinal beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis). First a bit about the clues. First clue: Harry’s Wolsey. Thomas Wolsey was not only Henry VIII’s lord chancellor, but was also a cardinal of the Roman catholic church. Second clue: Sleepy hollow’s bunting. In the opening scenes of Tim Burton’s 1999 film ‘Sleepy hollow’, Johnny Depp’s character, Ichabod Crane, is seen releasing a Cardinal out of a window. Cardinals are often referred to as Cardinal-buntings.
Common Cardinal beetles are usually found around woodland margins and hedgerows throughout May to July. Their head, elytra and pronotrum are a deep red colour. They have a flat body, but comb-like antennae. Growing up to 2cm in length, Common Cardinal beetles are often mistaken for Scarlet lily beetles who have plain antennae and shinier elytra.
A picture of a Common Cardinal beetle can be found here.
Did you know: There are actually three types of Cardinal beetle, the Common or Red-headed Cardinal, the Black-headed Cardinal beetle and the Scarce Cardinal beetle.
Bonus quiz answer: I’m looking through you. 1965, Rubber Soul.
Keep an eye out for next week’s mystery beetle quiz here soon!
Take care,
Claire
I think we all pretty well sussed cardinal beetle re Cardinal Wolsey Mrs T. Just a matter of which cardinal beetle was the right answer.
ChloeB & Tiger's Osprey Data
It is certainly a spectacular looking beetle.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
Can't believe I looked right through the cardinal bunting link ... it was the heading for the images where I found the 'headless' cardinal!! Shoot myself now methinks! Lol
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
don't shoot yourself Wendy
we need you lol
Ray
a good laugh is better than a tonic
Likely I would have missed anyway E!!! See you Monday!
Knowing me I would change my mind in that split second just after I tightened my trigger finger and then missed.