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terrifyingly huge flying things

ASL Member Founding Member Post #15454 Replies closed

For about the last week I have been seeing really big things flying about. Not a lot but one here on Oasis, one at my pals round the corner and one at my neice's place in Catral. I first thought they were huge bees looking to re home for next year but tonight in the garden one flew right at me. I didn't see much as I was busy trying to save myself but it appeared to be bright red. I first thought it was a bloom from our bouganvilia but it really was flying. I tried to swat it with my book and I think it flew away. Has anyone else seen them or do you have any idea what they are?. I wondered if they are something that doesn't live here but have been blown off course from where they were migrating to.

Comments

OMG I had a similar experience a couple of years ago at Manolos restaurant on the Lemon Road.

I saw the bug flying toward me, it was huge and very slow, in fact it was bobbing up and down suxh was the size of it.

I was petrified (bee and wasp phobia) so my son tackled it and killed because I was making rather a fuss I must admit.

Anyway shortly afterward a gentleman came over and promptly told my son he shouldnt have killed it as they are harmless and do not sting (mortified)

So now i just get out of the way on the rare ocassion I see one coming toward me.

I do have to hold my breath and cover my face as they take quite a while to move on !!!!!!

Have no idea what theyr'e called though

best regards

ASL Member Founding Member 2012-08-19

Yes I know them but not what they're called big things moving slowly because their wings seem as if they are not strong enough to carry them, harmless probably but not when you're terrified of things that fly that you don't recognise ..you will just have to bob down Mazza as they fly past you ...seems a shame to swot them as they may have a purpose for being around.

ASL Member Founding Member 2012-08-19

yesterday one of these huge things flew at me again and thankfully it was a lager liking bug. It sat on the edge of a lager can and fell in. It was some kind of very big beetle. When I saw it still, it was very pretty. But still very scary to me. It's still in the lager can and I'm going to get my hubby to look at it one day this week. I cope well with spiders as I know they kill flies but I'm ashamed to say that last week when there was a dead roach on my floor I had to get a neighbour to get rid of it.

ASL Member Founding Member 2012-08-19

found out what it was. A red palm weevil. One flew at me yesterday. I thought it was attacking me but I sit under the palm tree and that was where it landed. It was very pretty. The head looked a bit like a ladybird, hence the red and the wings looked red. We recognised it from an advert in the paper and sprayed it heavilly with bug spray. It took a lot to kill it so maybe that's why they are such a danger to palms. I don't think we saved the world but we certainly saved our palm

ASL Member Founding Member 2012-08-24

ooooo Maz
I realy hope you have saved your palm, if the weevle is present I understand it can be up to 18 months before you find out if your palms are infected.

We lost two beautiful well established palms this year from the weevle. Our palms were 150 metres apart and yet both succumbed.

The second palm was treated 15 months ago but we were told at the time we wouldnt know for another season if the treatment had worked, it didnt sadly as the infestation had already taken hold unbeknown to us.

If you put your ear to your palm you can hear the lavae in the trunk if there is an infestation, then you will see the palm leaves fall at a rate of knots, if so, game over.

Hope you have managed to save your palm but do keep a close eye out !

best regards

Debra

ASL Member Founding Member 2012-08-24