Beijing (Gou-rou News Agency). A pair of dragonflies, believed to be representatives of the Anax junius species, were sighted Tuesday afternoon practising wanton public sexual behaviour in the middle of the 6-lane second ring road. Police set up a cordon around the area but were unable to trap the criminals.

"We did our best to stop them leaving the area, blocking off all roads and even the underground station nearby, but somehow they managed to evade our road-blocks and escape, probably to engage in more lewd behaviour elsewhere. We believe they may have escaped by flying sideways," apologised Inspector Zhang, of East-City district police. "This is the not the first incident of dragonfly sex this year, there have been numerous reports from concerned members of the public since spring, and we will not tolerate such behaviour!"

Inspector Zhang went on to explain that police have recently aborted an attempt to get an undercover officer into the dragonfly community. "Despite spending thousands of renminbi on costume and makeup, the dragonflies were just too suspicious. Not only did they not accept Officer Qing into their midst, but they positively ignored him for the entire week he was crouching in the lake."

Police continue to try and put a halt to the phenomenon. Officials fear that the behaviour may spread into other species, and possibly into humans. Comparisons with bird-flu are still premature, but the danger is very real.

In related news police arrested two ants Thursday for engaging in public sexual behaviour. The suspects were later released when it was discovered one ant was simply carrying the corpse of the other, and that ants have never reproduced in that way.