Hi guys, I know this is not exactly pets but its the closest category that I could find.

On a recent holiday to Cyprus I came across this insect by our pool. Coming from the UK we dont get such exotic things, usually just wasps! Does anyone know what it is?

http://tinypic.com/r/33nkd54/3

Its a species of Milkweed bug I think, maybe Lygaeus pandurus.

a beetle

it wouldnt be a species of beetle, Milkweed Bugs are part of a different order, Hemiptera, known as "true bugs"

I had not heard of this creature, but I searched Google images for your suggestion, and it looks just like the OP's picture!

http://images.google.co.uk/images?q=...N&hl=en&tab=wi

Thanks!

Excellent! I love the discovery of unknown creatures. They do say that there are many creatures that inhabit the sea and jungles that we haven't discovered yet too.

Nessie?

Many years ago in Scotland, they said to each other "Help ! We are skint ! We need to invent something to bring the gullible tourists in !"