Female Beetles Mate to Survive

Bruchid beetles are a food pest that lives in many people's homes. They are commonly called bean weevils and are small, dark colored insects that live in beans or seeds. Since these living conditions are often very dry, females needs a source of water and other nutrients - and they find this in males.

During copulation, the male's ejaculate provides the female with hydration and nutrients that are sufficient to save her life. This phenomenon occurs mostly in insects and not in larger animals because insects are so small. A relatively large percentage of their body weight, as compared to other animals, is comprised of high water content ejaculate. In larger animals the female needs many more resources than could ever be provided by a male's seminal fluid.

Females aren't the only ones who benefit from this relationship. By providing the females with these nutrients the males get time to have their sperm fertilize her eggs before another male comes along and copulates with the female. The male also benefits because the hydration he provides to the female is just one more reason she would want to mate with him. Male Bruchid beetles have spines on their reproductive organs that can hurt the female unless she kicks him away right at the end of copulation - because of this, it's no wonder that females might need some extra incentive to want to mate.

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Posted by Christina Breed (1)