Strolling along

salden · Post by **salden** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 1:59 am

Not too much I could do with this fellow. He was in an unnatural environment, casting a big shadow

. Acted like he had no cares in the world.

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 3:10 am

Sue commented:

Acted like he had no cares in the world.

Bet all that would change if a bird came along.

Looks a lot like a "tater bug" Sue. Nice sharp image of it and the rather large shadow looks fine there.

salden · Post by **salden** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 3:14 am

The shadow reminds me of the Lord of the Rings when Sam was going up the stairs casting a hugh shadow, which scared the orcs until they seen it was only a wee hobbit

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:34 am

Beautiful beetle Sue. It does look like a "Badayda" Beetle. Thats the way a true new Englander says potato. (thats ba-day-da)

salden · Post by **salden** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:36 am

I grew up in the South and we just said tater...now here in the NE, they want you to pronounce the entire word

nephiliim · Post by **nephiliim** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 4:45 am

We call them coloradobugs, and they are beginning to pose a threat to tataerplants over here.
I found one myself yesterday in our garden.

Nice capture

All the best,

Tom B

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 7:31 am

I remember reading a story about these beetles being only found in one place at the foot of the Rocky Mts. and when the people moved west with the potato plants, these beetles loved them and now they have spread throughout the world. I am not sure, but it might be in the book "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson. Also found it here!! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_potato_beetle I know I read about it even before the internet

Mike B in OKlahoma · Post by **Mike B in OKlahoma** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 8:30 pm

I've read the same story, Doug. Weird the things we humans do!

DaveW · Post by **DaveW** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:19 pm

Don't know if it is still the case, but if you found a Colorado Beetle in the UK you used to have to report it to the police! Sort of "Public Enemy No. 1". In the 1950's I remember Police Stations and other similar places used to have an identification picture up on the wall so they could identify any found and no doubt at that time report to our then Ministry of Agriculture (Now DEFRA).

Wether we ever got many imported into Britain I don't know, as I have never heard any publicity about them for years.

However, since starting this post I have just done a Google search and it is still a notifiable pest in the UK and within the EU. See:-

http://www.defra.gov.uk/planth/pestnote/colorado.htm

There is also a link on the left of the above site to how many beetles were detected in the UK in 2004 to 2005, and where from.

DaveW

rjlittlefield · Post by **rjlittlefield** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:34 pm

Very interesting post, DaveW -- thanks!
--Rik

salden · Post by **salden** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 2:17 am

This one is a PA (USA) resident. We have loads of em. Tom B - are you in the UK?

DaveW · Post by **DaveW** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 3:55 am

If you mean me, I am about 4 miles from Nottingham UK.

We also used to have posters up when I was at school in the 1940's showing Colorado Beetles for the children to tell teachers or parents if they ever saw one!

DaveW

salden · Post by **salden** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 5:22 am

Thanks Dave. I was wondering if "nephiliim" was in the UK, I do not remember where exactly he lives, but he seen one too.