21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Mating dance of the Red Milkweed Beetle #1

While visiting the Botanical Gardens of Asheville, I came upon a plant that was hosting a pair of Red Milkweed Beetles, presumably trying to figure out how to engage in a mating dance. I took a few more shots of them, but only one looked remotely like an actual mating ritual. (Or was one of them just playing hard to get?) Just to play it safe, I will submit a separate entry with the other one as well.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 06.2023
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Asheville, North Carolina, United States of America
Camera: Pixel 7 Pro
Copyright: © ralph blessing