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Diptera.info » Identification queries » Other insects, spiders, etc.
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Big Black "Clock" to ID..<Pterostichus niger..ID by Smoggycb
Roger Thomason
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.
Edited by Roger Thomason on 11-11-2008 22:02
 
Paul Beuk
Perhaps an Abax?
Paul

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Paul Beuk on https://diptera.info
 
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Moo
I've heard of click beetles.. but what are clock beetles?
 
Smoggycb
it's a Pterostichus, probably P. niger. A Clock is a ground beetle (carabidae), particularly the black 'samey' ones!
 
Roger Thomason
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.
 
Moo
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
 
Smoggycb
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!
 
Roger Thomason
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.
 
Moo
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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