Anyone know what those small ("3-4 mm long X maybe 2mm wide) black
creatures are that land on one's unprotected arms whilst one is
trimming a (fagus) beech hedge and then they have a real good chomp?
Those bites are fierce, wouldn't they prefer aphids or something else?

On Jul 25, 5:21*pm, aquachimp
wrote:
Anyone know what those small ("3-4 mm long X maybe 2mm wide) black
creatures are that land on one's unprotected arms whilst one is
trimming a (fagus) beech hedge and then they have a real good chomp?
Those bites are fierce, wouldn't they prefer aphids or something else?

ps, I don't think they're the same as the beetles mentioned elsewhere;
No inclination to fly off for starters.

Sort of pointed oval, with the sharp end at the front?

No, I don't know what they are ;-)

But I was bitten twice this morning while pruning a hazel.

On Jul 26, 4:11*pm, kay wrote:
aquachimp;895367 Wrote:

Anyone know what those small ("3-4 mm long X maybe 2mm wide) black
creatures are that land on one's unprotected arms whilst one is
trimming a (fagus) beech hedge and then they have a real good chomp?
Those bites are fierce, wouldn't they prefer aphids or something else?

Sort of pointed oval, with the sharp end at the front?

No, I don't know what they are ;-)

But I was bitten twice this morning while pruning a hazel.

--
kay

Segmented body?

I asked someone yesterday and the answer was haag beuk bladeren
luizen. Hedge (beech) leaves fleas.
I'm non the wiser now

Not the same as mine. Mine are mini-beetles.