The Bizarre Mating Rituals of Bugs: Valentines You’d Prefer Not to Have
It might not cross your mind often, but bugs have mating rituals just like birds and mammals do! Here at Vulcan Termite & Pest Control, we’re all about insect education—because insects are fascinating! Keep reading for some of the interesting ways bugs woo each other.
Mating Rituals of Bugs
If you’ve ever dealt with an insect infestation, you probably know how quickly a few bugs can turn into a few dozen and, eventually, a few hundred. But these extra pests don’t just spring out of the ground! Bugs have their own unique mating rituals just like we do—even if they might not be as romantic.
Termites
It’s common knowledge that with a lot of animal species, it’s the male who is attempting to woo the female. With termites, however, it’s the female that does the enticing! Female termites will release pheromones (which humans have, too!) specifically for mating. Think of it as a perfume that lets the males know it’s time to mate. Once a male finds a female, they actually break off their wings. This symbolizes that they’re now a couple. Kind of sweet, right?
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are one of those insect species that multiply like rabbits! This might be due in part to their no-nonsense mating habits. To mate, male bed bugs will literally pierce the abdomen of the females in a process called “traumatic insemination.” While insect behavior is fascinating, this might be the least romantic of bug mating rituals!
Kissing Bugs
Giving bed bugs a run for their money in the unromantic category are kissing bugs! While they have a cute nickname, the reason behind the nickname isn’t so cute. Kissing bugs are known to bite the faces and lips of people while they sleep. The blood they get from doing this is necessary for both male and female to mate and to lay eggs respectively.
Fire Ants
When you need an example of a matriarchal society, look no further than fire ant colonies! The queen fire ant handles all of the egg laying, which may sound like a tough job, but she’s more than up to the task. Fire ant queens can even control how many male and female eggs they lay!
The ultimate goal is to produce another queen, so most of the eggs she lays will be female. When it comes to the regular worker ants, the males die after mating. Whenever the queen needs males, she’ll lay an overwhelming amount of male eggs. This way, there will still be males leftover after mating kills many of them.
Is There Too Much Bug Romance Going on in Your Home?
It’s fun to read about insect behavior, but it’s another thing entirely to witness it in your home! If you’re suffering from an insect infestation, Vulcan Termite & Pest Control is here to help. We know all there is to know about pests and pest behavior, and can solve your problem quickly and effectively.
Get in touch with Vulcan Termite & Pest Control today!