Insects and Spiders

14 Two Male Green June Beetles Trying To Mate With The Same Female

These shots are documenting what went on in the grass under my bird feeder. A male & female green june beetle were mating when another male came along. The 2nd male managed to wedge itself between the two, knocked the 1st male over backwards, then knocked it loose from the female. Then male #2 got into position and took over the mating action. Male 1 eventually wandered off. At the end, the female had enough and buried herself in the soft ground out of sight and ended the action. Numbers in the title indicate the order it all happened.
Green June Beetle (Cotinis nitida)

Cotinis nitidaGreen June Beetlebeetlebuginsectiridescentgreengreen buggarland texasshinyJune beetleclose upoutside my windowmale green june beetlefemale green june beetlematingcompetitionmating behaviorsbird seed debrissoft groundunder a bird feederlawnmacro