Golden-bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetle (Agapanthia villosoviridescens)

For those that like wonderfully named wildlife, this one is blooming golden!

At up to 22cm in length full-grown, with powder blue/black bi-coloured antennae which are longer than the body and a golden-like sheen covering much of its body, there's no mistaking this beetle for any other.

The larvae develop in the stems of various herbaceous plants, with a possible preference for thistles. This is one of only two UK beetles not to develop on woody plants. Adults feed on Cow Parsley, Nettles and Hogweed among others.

Although it can be found elsewhere in England (as my discovery testifies) it appears to be most locally common across central England and East Anglia in Woodland edges and hedgerows.

Adults fly between April/May and August/September, peaking in late May and June.