2018-02-12T16:49:00
(BPT) – February is the season of flowers, chocolates and new relationship statuses. Like us, there are many love bugs that are “in a relationship, but it’s complicated.” Different bug species across the planet engage in peculiar behaviors to satisfy both hunger and reproductive needs — with qualities that sound less than desirable to humans. Terminix is excited to share the buggiest, most bizarre mating-ritual behaviors that will make you think twice the next time you say, “She wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
1. Praying mantis: Love bites
Praying mantises are known for their expert predatory skills. However, mantis females have earned quite the reputation for their occasional odd and cannibalistic mating behavior. Sometimes females will selectively bite the heads off of their male mating partners, devouring them for nourishment — talk about risky business.
2. Bed bugs: More than butterflies in your stomach
We’ve all heard the phrase, “having a strong stomach.” Well, bedbugs take this concept to the next level. Mating is no game for the common household male bed bug, who will literally stab his reproductive organ into the abdomen of his female mate for reproduction. Somehow, female bed bugs have adapted to recover from this traumatic behavior if the male stabs the right side of her body correctly. As if these itchy pests weren’t bad enough already!
3. Fireflies: Fool me once …
Catching fireflies is a staple of American summer pastimes. The pretty, flickering light that fireflies generate is more than just a show for us, it’s actually a communication tool. The light is a signal for fireflies, saying, “Here I am.” Some females play hard to get by mimicking the light signal of another type of male firefly species to lure him over. The catch? She has no intention of mating but rather is looking for a tasty meal!
4. Black widow: Dangerous love
It’s no shocker that this fierce spider made the “don’t date” list. Although the black widow spider’s bite is rarely fatal to humans, it can be a long and painful experience. Some species of black widows earned their name for their likelihood of killing their male counterparts when mating. A male must position himself between the female’s pincers for successful intercourse, oftentimes resulting in death afterwards. Some call it tough love.
5. Bees: Hail to the drama queen
You would think that bee romance would be as sweet as honey, but unfortunately for male bees, any sort of “love” is very short-lived. The queen bee is the mother of the colony and plays a specific role in laying eggs for the growth and sustenance of the colony. Male bees play the sad but important role of hero parents by sacrificing themselves for reproduction, dying shortly after mating.