smooth death feigning beetle trying to mate with an Eleodes sp.?--Eleodes Caudiferis?!?!

So, apparently, these two tried to mate, and now, I can only think of one reason--the SDFB resembles the female Eleodes caudiferis.

 
Sadly, the eggs are unlikely to be fertile, Ive had the same thing happen (different species though) and they never hatched, and yes that is egg laying behavior

 
Yes, male beetles are often ridiculously zealous and may mate with anything that even slightly resembles a female. On bugguide there are a few pics of various mistaken-identity copulations.

 
I had a small male fuzzy darkling beetle attempt to mate with a large velvet ant. Presumably because he thought she was the biggest, sexiest fuzzy darkling ever. The velvet ant was not pleased with his repeated attempts to climb on her back and always ran away while he chased after her.

 
Did I mention my Cotinis mutabilis specimen, which will attempt to inseminate fingers if played with for too long?

(surprisingly, it is still alive from last summer)

 
The question is... does SHE think the eggs are fertile?!
Mmn, I don’t know.

Many insects will meticulously deposit unfertilized eggs as if they contained larvae.

(on the other hand, many moths practice irresponsible parenting and oviposit on windows)

 
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