Diptera.info :: Identification queries :: Other insects, spiders, etc.
 Big Black "Clock" to ID..<Pterostichus niger..ID by Smoggycb
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| Roger Thomason |
Posted on 10-11-2008 08:28
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 Member Location: Mossbank,Shetland Isles. Posts: 5268 Joined: 17.07.08 |
It would appear Scatsta Airport is being taken over by Clock Beetles. Yet another one found wandering around, outside this time. Size approx 22mm, going by the indent on plastic cup, which is 5mm. Hopefully easier to ID than the last one. Roger Thomason attached the following image:  [79.75Kb] Edited by Roger Thomason on 11-11-2008 22:02 |
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| Paul Beuk |
Posted on 10-11-2008 09:09
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 Super Administrator Location: Netherlands Posts: 19403 Joined: 11.05.04 |
Perhaps an Abax?
Paul - - - - Paul Beuk on https://diptera.info |
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| Moo |
Posted on 10-11-2008 15:17
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Member Location: Posts: 21 Joined: 31.07.08 |
I've heard of click beetles.. but what are clock beetles? |
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| Smoggycb |
Posted on 10-11-2008 16:22
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Member Location: Rye Harbour, England Posts: 350 Joined: 19.05.07 |
it's a Pterostichus, probably P. niger. A Clock is a ground beetle (carabidae), particularly the black 'samey' ones! |
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| Roger Thomason |
Posted on 11-11-2008 15:55
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Member Location: Mossbank,Shetland Isles. Posts: 5268 Joined: 17.07.08 |
Thanks Smoggycb, it does seem to fit. But why do they call it a Clock? Can't find any references in dictionaries etc..I've always called them Clocks without thinking where the name came from, till Moo asked the question. |
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| Moo |
Posted on 11-11-2008 22:34
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Member Location: Posts: 21 Joined: 31.07.08 |
Google didn't find me anything useful, and few results at all.. But see the last definition here: http://dictionary...owse/Clock Anyone have OED access and could look there? Edited by Moo on 11-11-2008 22:35 |
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| Smoggycb |
Posted on 12-11-2008 08:53
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Member Location: Rye Harbour, England Posts: 350 Joined: 19.05.07 |
I've not heard it used very often and always just assumed it was one of those old names that has fallen out of use. I've heard it used in Yorkshire, and now by a Shetlander, so maybe it's the scandinavian influence! |
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| Roger Thomason |
Posted on 12-11-2008 09:27
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Member Location: Mossbank,Shetland Isles. Posts: 5268 Joined: 17.07.08 |
Maybe it comes from the Dutch or German meaning bell or bell shaped. There used to be lots of them here involved in trade. I don't know what they call these things. |
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| Moo |
Posted on 09-06-2011 13:00
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Member Location: Posts: 21 Joined: 31.07.08 |
An ancient thread now... But the information might be interesting still. "A name for any kind of beetle; esp. the Common Dor or Shardborne Beetle ( Geotrupes stercorarius). Sometimes with defining words, as clock-bee (Sc.), a flying beetle; clock-a-clay, clock-leddy, the lady-bird; buzzard-clock n. at buzzard n.2 Compounds, q.v. [= cockchafer] Chiefly northern: found in the dialect glossaries as far south as Cheshire and Lincolnsh.; but not in those of Shropsh., Leicestersh., or East Anglia. Etymology: Origin unknown. In the dialects in which it is used, it is not now associated in any way with clock n.1 [bell/timepiece]" (OED) |
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