Stoneflies (Mating) - Order Plecoptera

Stoneflies exhibit unusual courting behavior. Males and females locate one another through a series of acoustic signals known as drumming. Stoneflies drum by tapping, rubbing, or scraping their abdomens on a rock or log. The pair continues to drum, gradually moving closer until they finally meet, and mate. The drumming signals are only attractive to individuals of the same species, and so are species specific. These stoneflies were so hard to get a shot of because their bodies were so contorted and entwined. The male is on the top, and has his abdomen curved around and down.

Note - there is a small, red mite on the female's abdomen.