Cockroaches that eat each other’s wings turn into a fierc...

What’s Happening

So get this: The wood-feeding cockroach’s cannibalistic love bites lead to a lasting bond.

Afterward, the pair prefer each other over all other roaches. News Animals Cockroaches that eat each other’s wings turn into a fierce fighting force Pairs that indulge in a little cannibalism team up to attack would-be mates and intruders Haruka Osaki, a talented artist as well as scientist, drew these two roaches in the process of “gently” eating each other’s wings off, a task that can occur at any point during the mating and pairing process. (yes, really)

Kasuya/ Ethology 2021 By Bethany Brookshire 6 hours ago this: via email (Opens in new window) Email on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit on X (Opens in new window) X Print (Opens in new window) Print Humans might show commitment with a ring, penguins offer prospective mates rocks and some beetles gift a ball of dung .

The Details

Wood-feeding cockroaches show commitment with a nibble of cannibalism — and then a lot of aggression. After a ritual in which mating roaches gnaw off each others wings, the pair violently reject all other potential mates or intruders.

The findings, published March 4 in Royal Society Open Science , offer evidence that pair-bonding is not limited to creatures with spines. Insects can show fierce loyalty, too.

Why This Matters

For our We summarize the week’s scientific breakthroughs every Thursday. The wood-feeding cockroach Salganea taiwanensis can live for up to five years, and forms long-term monogamous pairs, says Haruka Osaki, a behavioral ecologist at the Museum of Nature and Human Activities in Hyōgo, Japan. Once committed, the roaches will build a nest and raise offspring together, cohabitating for the rest of their lives.

Scientists and researchers are watching this development closely.

Key Takeaways

• But to signal that commitment, a sacrifice is required.
• The cockroaches can fly — until they decide to settle down.
• To pair up, a male and female will gently eat each other’s wings off before, during or after mating.

The Bottom Line

The cockroaches can fly — until they decide to settle down. To pair up, a male and female will gently eat each other’s wings off before, during or after mating.

Sound off in the comments.