Gendarmes

Not to be confused with your friendly national police agent. These are called firebugs in English. They're abundantly visible right now as they congregate in sunny spots. They are particularly attracted to the trunks of tilleuls (linden or lime trees). Indeed, these were gathered on a mossy wall a foot or two from the trunk of our tilleul. Gendarmes are pretty harmless, as far as I know.

Mating pairs of gendarmes connect to each other at the back end. They wander around connected like that for hours, even days, apparently.

I was industrious and cut the south forty yesterday afternoon. I did not, however, change the oil in the lawnmower. That will wait for another day. Today I plan to cut the west forty, the largest section of the yard. I'm saving the north forty for last, to keep the primroses blooming until I can't stand it any more.