Milkweed Beetles - Tetraopes tetrophthalmus

Mating milkweed beetles with red and black aposematic coloring. It seems like nearly every time I find these beetles they are mating! They are mating maniacs ;)

The scientific names are both derived from the Ancient Greek for "four eyes." Many longhorn beetles have antennae that are situated very near the eye. However, in the red milkweed beetle, this adaptation has been carried to an extreme: the bases of the antennae actually bisect the eye. Odd, but interesting.