Love bugs.

Absolutely must be viewed whilst listening to this.

Nipped up to the allotment this evening with Mr. G to see what the slugs, deer and Monsoon rains had left untouched over the weekend. To be fair it's not too bad and an evening without it royally pissing it down seemed to ignite the passions of various amorous beasties to try a spot of procreation.

These two star crossed lovers clattered around for a few minutes (why do Cockchafers invariably choose one's head as a staging post to wherever they are going?) before blundering into the broadbeans and consummating their brief union. I'm happy they've managed to do what things naturally want to do and pass on their genes. Just out of shot were a pair of Harlequin Ladybirds doing exactly the same thing. Hopefully they wandered off for a post coital banquet of aphids - there are billions of the bastards.

They look a bit fearsome but I genuinely like Melolontha melolontha. There's a bit of the gentle giant about them and when I was quite a lot younger I was amazed by the strength they have when clinging on to a finger! Sadly this picture doesn't show of the beautiful "leaves" on the antennae; presumably when they've served their purpose for the evening (sifting through the air for the pheromone trails of a mate) these delicate structures are closed up and protected ready for the next use.

Do yourself a favour and have a look at the Buglife website to learn more about our largest beetle.