Insects - Meloe proscarabeus
Meloe proscarabeus
Length 26mm

An oil beetle, so-called because of pungent oil it produces when alarmed. Local and widespread in grassy places. Has shiny, bluish black body with small elytra that do not cover the swollen-looking abdomen. Adult seen April­June. After emerging from egg, young larva climbs flowers and attaches itself to passing solitary bee; then carried back to bee's nest inside which larva then develops.