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#30DaysWild, 30 Days Wild, British beetles, British insects, Common spotted orchid, National Insect Week, Oedemera nobilis, Swollen-thighed beetle
Not only is this day 19 of #30DaysWild, but today is also the second day of National Insect Week. To celebrate, here is one of my favourite British insects, the Swollen-thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis). I see these little guys on almost every type of flower at this time of year – this one’s on a Common spotted-orchid – and they always make me smile. It’s the male beetles that have those fat thighs – I haven’t been able to find out why, so if you know, please do tell.
Apparently it’s only the male that has the swollen thighs, so perhaps it’s a “mating fitness” thing, with females finding bigger thighs more attractive?
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Yes, the females are slim-thighed.
I’m glad I’m not a beetle if that’s what’s attractive to them. 😉
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