Rather stuck as to what to choose for the letter C, I opened the dictionary at C and chose a word at random. And here it is. Cockchafer. It may sound like an uncomfortable men's undergarment, but it is in fact "a large, grey-brown beetle", with particularly unappealing offspring (see picture). But then lots of babies are only attractive to their parents, so I mustn't be too unkind.
They are also known as May bugs, and this brought back a chidhood memory. My mother was plagued by these things flying through her bedroom window one night, so she caught them up in paper tissues (just for the time being, you understand) and threw them out of the window. The next morning (having quite forgotten yessterday's invasion) she was puzzled to find little white parcels scattered all over the lawn, each containing a neatly-wrapped beetle.
Ah...happy days. I still miss her.
Never heard of these before. Quite disturbed by the idea they might come in my window at night - better get the kleenex ready...
ReplyDeleteI'm always shocked by people who sleep with their windows open and have no screens! This is a delightful story to start the day and I'm still chuckling about the uncomfortable men's underwear!
ReplyDeleteI discovered we should beware of cockchafers if we care about our lawns. Apparently the grubs like to eat grass roots so lawns get huge patches of brown deadness all over them. The rather bloodthirsty but eco friendly solution is in those huge iron garden rollers you used to see around - not so often these days. Rolled over the lawn at the appropriate time, and hey presto, problem solved!
ReplyDeleteMay bugs! They have become rather rare, partly due to their cycle of four years from egg to lava to bug, but also because of the extensive use of pesticides. I quite like them, but then of course I have not seen any in nearly 20 years, let alone have them visit my bedroom.
ReplyDeleteThe babies don't look very pretty, but then not mant baby beetles do.
ReplyDeleteA really interesting post, Frances, and a great idea, though scary, to pick a word at random from the dictionary. I'm very tempted to join you for the A-Z challenge but it's actually a HUGE one, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteDee, they're nothing to be scared of, but not very pretty!
ReplyDeleteJill, my parents wouldn't have dreamt of sleeping with the windows closed, whatever the weather!
Jenny, I'll bear that handy hint in mind!
Librarian, you are a mine of information, and I would expect nothing less of you!
Patsy, i've met very few baby beetles, but I'm sure you're right.
Lynne, do join in! It's the best possible way of putting off the WIP (I think I wrote about 200 words today. Ts ts...).
I love the word cockchafer and, even more, I love the thought of those little white parcels.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I'll admit I had something else in mind.
ReplyDeleteAs the only male commenting I have to say that I hadn't thought of the undergarment angle and I rather wish that you hadn't mentioned it. It did have me laughing healthily for a while on this dreary wet day but the legacy will be an inability to see the word or hear of a Mayfly without giggling like a 10 year old.
ReplyDeleteAs for bedroom windows I think I will do a survey: quite an interesting topic.
Definitely had something else in mind when I saw that title! Thanks for the info about May Bugs - haven't really come across those before (as far as I know). Love the white parcels on the lawn!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joanna.
ReplyDeleteYvonne - ts ts...
BG - sorry to have caused you discomfort of any kind. By the way, mayflies are quite different, and don't (as far as I know) chafe anything. Hope you feel better now?
Rosemary - another ts ts for you, I'm afraid (but then I suppose I was just as bad).
Not quite sure why I said Mayflies. Put it down to a brainfart.
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