Cannibalism May Be Key for These Cockroach Couples
Newly mated pairs of one species, Salganea taiwanensis, take turns chewing each other’s wings down to stubs after they move into the homes where they will jointly raise babies. Scientists say this unique behavior may have evolved because of the roaches’ truly monogamous bond. New York Times
Cockroaches. (PC-AFP)
For certain cockroaches living inside rotten logs in Asia, nothing says “I love you” like some minor cannibalism.
Newly mated pairs of one species, Salganea taiwanensis, take turns chewing each other’s wings down to stubs after they move into the homes where they will jointly raise babies. Scientists say this unique behavior may have evolved because of the roaches’ truly monogamous bond.
The wood-feeding cockroach may be the only known example of a species that practices mutual sexual cannibalism – the male and female both nibble each other’s wings after mating