This is the Lousy Watchman, the Dor Beetle, or Geotrupes stercorarius. A friendly chap whose job in life is recycling. Apparently it recycles animal droppings. Nothing wrong with that. The Victorians had Pure Collectors’. I have Geotrupes stercorarius. The Baldrick of Hampshire?
Also in the frame this morning is what might be Evernia prunastri. I am not yet 100% sure.
No flies on this. I did put yesterday’s lichen under the microscope and found hiding inside the smallest wood louse you ever did see. I have not told Mrs. Ha as she is not that keen on house guests of the louse variety, wood or otherwise. She did however glance at Geotrupes stercorarius but returned swiftly to her breakfast. I did not explain GS’ role in life.
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I’m going off on a tangent. Whatever happened to the woodpeckers? Did they peck up and leave?
They are still around Karolyn but not so frequently these days.
I just looked up “how to attract woodpeckers to your garden” and found this advice – “Boisterous songbirds are likely to frighten them away”.
So much for all that head-butting of trees. Woodpeckers are wimps.
Yeah. Mine get spooked by just about anything. I had over 30 Wood Pigeons in the garden yesterday. Not many woodies when the gang is in town.
I suspect that beetle has his own compost pile. I’d rather not see it, though it is honorable of him.
I expect it is as well you didn’t! It is a rather attractive beetle, though. And the photo of the lichen is beautiful. I’m tickled to think of the wee beastie you found lurking within.
So now, I have to find out what “Pure Collectors” are. (As opposed to Impure Collectors, I guess.)
What does Geotrupes stercorarius say when breakfast is finished?
All dung.
Amazing lichen – really beautiful. I guess this was your cunning plan to distract attention away from the beetle…?
Andrew. Should I try introduce dung beetles to my worms and see if the combination can hasten the process of turning the kitchen scraps into sweet-smelling friable soil? Our garden is at its very best now.
Experts are saying that the fly problem in Australia can only be tackled by the introduction of dung beetles. The problem is that they need moisture and Australia is a bit short on that.
Nothing is ever easy.
My compost seems tone slow breaking down Gerard so I’m not qualified to advise. But why not? Dung beetles are fun, affectionate and make good companions. Conversation is limited but that can be a bonus.
Very interesting. There is a “dung” beetle over here that tumbles waste to someplace. I always let them go about their “businsess” since all creatures have a purpose to keep the environment healthy.
Geotrupes is extremely handsome – and useful too! We have some very fine lichen’s in our garden… perhaps I should ask for a microscope for Christmas.
Definitely Hilary but not too high a magnification. Lichens are not easy to ID.
Mrs. Ha and I both agree…no interest in any kind of louse in the house. 🙂
As usual, great pictures. Just not my favorite topics.
I sympathize Marylin. A louse-free zone is the best kind.
Lousy Watchman, indeed. Too busy munching those tasty morsel to be much of a sentinel, Geotrupes stercorarius. In one way or another, all creatures are recyclers. Homo erectus possibly not amongst them.
Lovely lichen.
aarrgh. Morsels!