Macro: Beetle looks like a bee

I took some photos of the critters in our flower beds. Some aren't the greatest, but I wanted to include them for variety. The big fuzzy looking beetle below looks exactly like a bumblebee when it flies. Twice I thought I was following a bee and when it landed it was a fat fuzzy beetle. Does anyone know what this is?

Lots more here: Picasa Web Albums - Dan - The pollinators

[flippedgazelle]

I don't know what the critter is called, but I like the photo, and I like the perspective.

Looks like ya got a little dust on the sensor.

[photolady]

Are you sure that's dust? Looks like flower pollen to me.

Nice capture Dan. Can't help with identification though.

[audiobomber]

Originally Posted by flippedgazelle

I don't know what the critter is called, but I like the photo, and I like the perspective.

Looks like ya got a little dust on the sensor.

Thanks. I do see some dust on the left side.

[audiobomber]

Originally Posted by photolady

Nice capture Dan. Can't help with identification though.

I've been looking at bug photos and searching in Google but no luck yet. It's shocking how much this thing looked like a bumblebee when it was flying.

Did you click on my Picasa link? There are some pretty good bug photos there.

[chirpy]

From the other photos it looks like the Hairy Flower Chafer Beetle - Trichiotinus piger:
Hairy Flower Chafer Beetle - Trichiotinus piger

You've got some great shots of it.

[audiobomber]

Originally Posted by chirpy

From the other photos it looks like the Hairy Flower Chafer Beetle - Trichiotinus piger:
Hairy Flower Chafer Beetle - Trichiotinus piger

You've got some great shots of it.

Thanks Jonathan, you nailed it. I love that insect and spider website. Lots of high quality photos and facts.

I don't mean to be a pest but do you know what the little scorpion looking insect is on my Picasa page?

[chirpy]

Originally Posted by audiobomber

I don't mean to be a pest but do you know what the little scorpion looking insect is on my Picasa page?

Can you provide a link to the one you're referring to?

[audiobomber]

Originally Posted by chirpy

Can you provide a link to the one you're referring to?

Sorry, it's this one. Picasa Web Albums - Dan - The pollinators
It's not a very good photo but I wanted to include him for variety.

It's so inconvenient that Picasa won't let me post a photo instead of a link. I hope they reconsider this policy.

[chirpy]

That's a ladybird larva (ladybug in the USA). I'm not sure if it's the same species as here in Europe, but it appears to be the 7-spot ladybird (Coccinella 7-punctata)