ID and ideas please (1 Viewer)

I follow the insect ID threads with interest and wonder someone could help me with this one. As it kept creeping into the grass I put it on my wrist (though a stone or a fence post may have looked more natural!)

Fortunately it posed to have its photo taken. Does anyone have any suggestions for photographing the shy individuals who won't stay still? A Cockchafer came into the kitchen last night. It was easy enough to catch but it was hard to photograph as it kept flying off. Using a flash helped. I tried putting it in a clear topped container but the flash reflected off that. Perhaps I should have tried keeping it until the natural light of the morning and then tried though the clear top of the container. I wondered about putting it in the fridge for half an hour to cool it down. Any other ideas for taking pictures of flighty insects?

Thanks

Richard

The best thing I've found, Richard, is to put them in the fridge for an hour or so to slow them down. How long you leave them in there depends on the size of the insect (the bigger they are, the longer they need). On some occasions, I've also put insects into the freezer to give them a 'quick blast' - just don't forget them!
Sorry, I don't know what your beetle is.

It is a Soldier Beetle Cantharis lividia.

Yes putting them in a fridge or as I do take a cool box ice pack into the field & palce it in a lunch box. This will calm them down enough to get a good photograph.

My thanks to you both.

Richard