Tuesday, 23 April 2024

What's In a Critter's Name? 9. Oil beetle

The Oil beetle (Meloe violaceous) gets its name from its defensive strategy of releasing oily droplets, of bright orange haemolymph, from its joints. This secretion is poisonous, deterring predators and Entomologists.

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Birder's Bonus 243

A large accumulation of Black-headed gulls in the sunshine on the Loughor estuary.