(Popillia japonica in the garden. Photo by Robin. August 2007)

There are three possible parts to a date, of which at least two must be offered: entertainment, food, and affection. It is customary to begin a series of dates with a great deal of entertainment, a moderate amount of food, and the merest suggestion of affection. As the amount of affection increases, the entertainment can be reduced proportionately. When the affection is the entertainment, we no longer call it dating. Under no circumstances can the food be omitted. ~Miss Manners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behaviour

I realize this is not a typical post from me. I’m experimenting a little, trying to see if I can knock “My Feet” off the Top Posts list.

Besides, I like the leaf in the background, and that quote practically asked to go with that photo. I’m not really sure what the beetles are up to. They could be playing or fighting for all I know about beetles and their habits (although I don’t think it takes much in the way of anthropomorphizing to think otherwise).

Edit: I decided to look into beetle behavior (probably should’ve done that prior to posting). I think it’s pretty likely those two beetles in the photo are mating. The females mate, feed, and lay eggs, a cycle that goes on throughout the summer until the female has laid 40 to 60 eggs. The first mating usually takes place on the ground with the males lining up to get it on with the new female as she emerges in the spring. After that, they mate pretty much anywhere, especially on food plants. They’re rather promiscuous little creatures, both males and females mating several times with different partners throughout the mating season.