Compo 10,328 Posted August 11, 2015 Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 Saw one of these huge flies in the garden yesterday (Tachina grossa). I have to admit....I looked closely at the head just in case it was shouting "Help meeeee!" The fly is the size of a bumble bee and lays its eggs on caterpillars. The eggs hatch and consume the pupa: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crankypig 457 Posted August 11, 2015 Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 It looks horrid,and it's got a furry bum 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ayupmeducks 1,730 Posted August 11, 2015 Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 Plenty of horse/deer fly around my parts, related to mozzies, but look like large flies. They land on you, attack you with their scissor like jaws and sap the blood, this happens in seconds!! By the time you feel them "biting" they have taken off. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,109 Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 All these creatures are prolific because of idiots craving for the banning of insecticides. They want wild areas left to attract even more insects. Barmy, I'm sick to death of being bitten, spraying and rubbing on Anthisan. In years gone by, I've even had to hav antibiotics on prescription. Crazy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PeverilPeril 3,290 Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 So you want to kill the birds too! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,109 Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 I know, I know. It's the little beggars that bite me I can't stand. Btw, I spend an absolute fortune on various types of bird food, so I definitely do my bit. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crankypig 457 Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 I use flypapers,but only indoors,can't buy them in many places now,although I doubt if one of those massive flies would stick to a flypaper. Talking of flying things we once had a very strange one ,flying round like a bat out of hell making a very loud noise,I was told it was a cockchafer,never saw one again ,not sure if they bite. No rude comments please Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Compo 10,328 Posted August 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 Here in the far north of Scotland the midges are mighty. I suffer from some kind of magnetic attraction for them - they go for me and leave others around me alone. I also come up in large lumps when bitten. On the plus side, they feed large flocks of House Martins and swallows during the daytime and bats at night. All-in-all I'll vote to keep the insects. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,109 Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 Som years ago I was at Loch Awe, and was bitten beyond recognition. Tiny red spots that only lasted a couple of days. All in all, I'll keep insects just to keep the bird population well fed. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ayupmeducks 1,730 Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 We suffer millions of mosquitos, they vary in size from small to suck all your blood out on one suck! After them several types of ticks, then to top it off, try chiggers, so bloody tiny you can't see them, but they make a mess of the feet and ankles. To add insult to injury try sweat bees, they like to get behind the knees or any fold of skin, so when you move they sting! Now don't get me onto stings! Bloody paper wasps, better known as bald faced hornets, true hornets and yellow jackets, all ferocious buggers that inflict extremely painful stings!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,429 Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 I know this isn't bugs but I was reading that you had an infestation of Adders in the UK. Is that around Notts or just dahn souf? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,191 Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 Don't think its been an infestation 'Loppy' just that the warmer weather seems to have made em' grumpy,it was down in Essex and they killed two dogs i think. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tomlinson 879 Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 It looks horrid,and it's got a furry bum Don't knock it till you've tried it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bubblewrap 3,815 Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 Get your self one of these Compo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 9,514 Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 # 11 I've only ever seen ONE snake in England (other than pets or in the zoo of course) That was only a little grass snake slithering across the pavement where we used to live. I'm glad they're not common here as I really can't stand them! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bubblewrap 3,815 Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 #14 should have included this Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bubblewrap 3,815 Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 #11 This is the only "adder" I've seen recently Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,429 Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 Good, glad its not ADDING up to much I think it was the Daily Express online that I saw it in. I know some news outlets make a big deal of everything. However its pretty hard if your dog gets killed. Lived in the Nottingham area for 25 years and never saw a snake. Except a few two legged ones but that's another story. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plantfit 7,635 Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 Plenty of Adders and grass snakes in our quarry in Lincolnshire,go like greased lightening when they hear you Rog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Compo 10,328 Posted August 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 Adders abound in the wetlands of the far north. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MargieH 7,613 Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 Why didn't the viper 'viper' nose? Because the adder 'adder' 'andkerchief! I was once on a weekend Guide Camp and 2 of us went for a walk through an overgrown field. We saw what I thought was a thick piece of rope on the path ahead and I thought I'd pick it up...... it suddenly moved away and I was so shocked, I've disliked snakes ever since. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bilbraborn 1,594 Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 While my poor wife gets bitten by every fly, midge and flying buzzing creatures on the planet, they never seem to touch me. I must be poisonous. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bubblewrap 3,815 Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 Also lucky like me, as my wife is the same bitten to death ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 On Leybourne we had buzz bombs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,191 Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 Think they lived on Teviot Ian, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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