Clinging on

Another wander round the Wick pond in Home Park this afternoon, where the insect summer of love continues at a pace.

Plenty of damsel flies still floating around doing the deed but what really caught my eye were these mint leaf beetles (or Chrysolina herbacea to get all Latin about it).

Since there is a large amount of wild mint in amongst the reeds at the edge of the pond these little critters are in their element - after they've finished doing the necessary they can start to munch their way through the marital bed!

I picked this shot because you can just make out that their feet seem to have three sticky pads and two small hooks - presumably to give superior traction on all surfaces.

Thanks for all the kind comment, stars and hearts for some of my recent stuff and apologies for not replying promptly - I will get on the case as soon as possible.