Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Wrapped over eachother in tender embrace

Ranging from microscopic worms to whales, animals are amazingly diverse in shape , size and anatomy. Despite this they all share some key features, including the most basic structure of their bodies, the way they fuel their growth and reproduction, their ability to sense their environment, and their mobility. While photographing some macro moments in my farmyard I noticed a beautiful pair of mexican beetle performing courtship rituals on a slender twig. The mating behaviour includes detection of pheromones from the female partner and also include male partner rubbing antennae and his front pair of legs on the female's back while crawling on top of her.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 04.2024
Date Uploaded: 12.2024
Photo Location: Ganjam, Odisha, India, India
Copyright: © Sritam Kumar Sethy