Billy witches

[Farmboy91]

Has anyone else seen any about yet?

Just had to shut the door as one tried to make its way in. Spent the last hour listening to a dozen others banging against the glass.

[JTaylor91]

I’ve had to google what a “billy witch” is, never heard of it before. I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen one.

[oldypigeonpopper]

hello, what are they, not heard that name before

[Farmboy91]

I don't think the swear filter will accept the other name 😂

[ratass]

yrs ago I tied a few trout fly patterns to simulate the cockchafer beetle trout went crackers over them ,the next yr didn't get a take.

JB

[Farmboy91]

8 minutes ago, JTaylor91 said:

I’ve had to google what a “billy witch” is, never heard of it before. I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen one.

Plenty round my way come help your self to a couple van loads haha

[strimmer_13]

Are those the big black ******* that fly into the window like somebodys having a crack at you with a bb gun? My mother got a black eye from one of those hitting her 

[oldypigeonpopper]

hello, looks gruesome to me, most found in East Anglia, 

[Farmboy91]

17 minutes ago, strimmer_13 said:

Are those the big black ******* that fly into the window like somebodys having a crack at you with a bb gun? My mother got a black eye from one of those hitting her 

Yeah the back is a darkish brownie black, supposedly if you get one in your hair it will tangle and have to be cut out. 

But yeah, they fly into the glass to get at the light inside with a fair old whack.

18 minutes ago, oldypigeonpopper said:

hello, looks gruesome to me, most found in East Anglia, 

Not my favourite of insects lol

[Danger-Mouse]

Never heard of them before and very pleased to say I've never seen one.

Still, better than a murder hornet.

[Yellow Bear]

Yep there are more about this year - had several requiring eviction in the last week.

[snow white]

Think we used to call the bobhowlers in the midlands bloody thinks scare the **** out of you when they hit the window

[panoma1]

Bob howlers are a brummie name for a big hairy moth SW!.......In my 70 years I have only ever seen one cockchafer, that was in the grounds of a hospital on the way to Kinver in the West Midlands, it landed close to me, bloody great flying beetle the size of half yer thumb!

[wymberley]

Thanks for posting. I had no idea what the brute was that crash landed into the conservatory when I opened the door to let the dog out last night.

[old man]

You are just so lucky, haven't seen one for years in the Midlands.

Used to come barrelling in through the kitchen door in the dusk when lived more rural.

Edited May 10, 2020 by old man

[Farmboy91]

Seems like most of your share have moved my way, we've got a mains bug zapper for the flies, a Billy witch landed on it last summer, got a good dose of juice, fell down, spun around on it back for a while then got up and flew off. 

@Mr_Nobody no luckily not, killed a few European ones in the last couple months though.

Edited May 10, 2020 by Farmboy91

[JDog]

May bugs. This is certainly the right time of the year to start seeing them but possibly not today here in the Wolds as the temperature is 8 degrees and there are 40 mph gusts of wind.

[JohnfromUK]

I saw a swarm of bees yesterday - and still in the (high) tree today.  Aside from lockdown, they are too high and inaccessible for a bee keeper (unless he was also a tree surgeon with climbing skills)where they are at present - but I'm afraid the much colder weather we have today won't do them any good.

[strimmer_13]

1 hour ago, JDog said:

May bugs.

Thats what we called them too. Used to get loads in west wales, but ive not seen one in about 3 years and that was dead on the road in Wimborne (dorset).