Blister beetle antennal twisting

Pronunciation
/BLISTER BEETLE AN-TEN-NAL TWIST-ING/
Category
Behavior
Singular
Blister beetle antennal twisting
Plural
Blister beetle antennal twistings

Definition

A pre-copulating behavior observed in some blister beetle species where the male's antennae repeatedly twist around the female's antennae.

Etymology

From 'blister beetle', a common name for beetles in the family Meloidae, and 'twisting', referring to the observed behavior.

Example

During the courtship of the blister beetle Epicauta hirticornis, the male's antennae will twist around the female's antennae until they are entwined.

Related Terms