Rhipicera Beetle (2/7)

Coleoptera: Rhipiceridae

Rhipicera sp  

Eyesight may not be the Rhipicera Beetle's keenest faculty, and manoeuvrability is not a strong point either.

But his wonderful feathery antennae are amazing organs of smell and have led him to the stalk where the female beetle is wistfully waiting for a mate.

Unfortunately, he misses the stalk and crash-lands in the grass.

Twice.

Once again he gallantly raises his spiffily-decorated elytra (wing coverings), spreads his delightfully marked wings, and readies himself once more for the challenge of reaching the object of his desire.

I hope he makes it. Trying to photograph him through this thicket of dried grass is not easy.