AusBonsai

Hi all
Noticed yesterday arvo, my bench that has shade from Eucalypts was covered in thousands of these critters

This morning I have many less, but still heaps and mainly concentrated around the Darker more sheltered parts.
When i take a tree out and put in the light / Sun they all fly away after trying to find shade.

Any ideas what they are? and why the sudden infestation?

Ken

Hi Kcpoole, I had a serious plague of these about mid December. I believe they're soldier beetles. They did no harm to my trees, apparently they can be beneficial.

Thanks Waltron. That looks excactly like them
Good to know they are not "bad bugs", so I will leave them alone:-)

Ken

Ken,
Waltron is correct. These are known as Plague Solider Beetles (Chauliognathus lugubris). They form mating swarms. They are not uncommon in the suburban garden.
Don't worry, after mating they will move on. They won't cause you or your plants any harm. Frank

Thanks for posting this Ken!
I have noticed these for the past two years and they breed like rabbits.
They enhabit a tree near my garage (that is mostly in the shade???) and then move into the courtyard and then onto my trees. Their numbers have been up this year and I have been meaning to post a pic here but you beat me to it.
I have done numerous searches online on bug databases etc to identify them with no luck, so thanks very much for the ID and link Waltron
Even though I had not noticed any damage done by them to my trees I have killed quite a few to be safe...feel like a twitt now
Cheers, Dario.

I just hate crawly things when they get one me

Ken