I think it is the male on the back, in the usual mating position for most beetles. He has the more elaborate flabellate antennae, with leaf-like extensions on each segment, while the female has serrate (saw-like) antennae.
HI Kim, Many thanks for that information. In looking at the close-up photograph of the end of the insects, it looked like the rear insect had an extended tube touching the end of the front insect. Is that how male beetles fertilise eggs please? I know this is a common occurrence judging by the number of similar photographs on CNM but I was really happy to photograph them and interested in seeing how they went about laying eggs. Many thanks
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