Giant Flying Beetles Attack Brooklyn!
Reddish-brown Stag Beetle, a.k.a. Pinching Bug, a.k.a. Common Stag Beetle, Lucanus capreolus, formerly Pseudolucanus capreolus
Prospect Park, 2007-07-10
Beth and I were walking home from the New York Philharmonic in Prospect Park last week after dark when I started noticing what looked like large moths flying around Circle Drive. I snapped a few shots with the flash, and when I got home I confirmed that they weren’t moths at all but large beetles. I haven’t seen them do this before or since. I’m not sure if we hit a mating flight or migration or some other special event, or if the weather was just right that evening. According to Peterson (p. 135), they are attracted to lights like moths.
June 6th, 2008 at 1:24 PM
We’ve just seen two of these monsters in our garden in Kingston upon Thames (right next to Richmond Park) in greater London, UK. I never knew beetles could fly. My kids are running around the garden semi-dressed (they are about to get in the bath) chasing and being chased by the beasts.
Friday 6 June 2008
June 29th, 2008 at 9:44 PM
right now i am in shelby township and i just smoked a two and a half flying bettle it looks exactly the same as your pic.