Nuptial gift

Definition

A nutrient-rich item or secretion provided by one mating partner to the other, often by males to females, during courtship or copulation in certain insect and arachnid species.

Etymology

From Latin 'nuptialis', meaning 'pertaining to marriage', and 'gift', meaning 'something given'.

Example

In some spider species, males offer nuptial gifts such as prey wrapped in silk to females as part of their mating ritual.

Synonyms

• Courting gift
• Mating gift

Related Terms

• Courtship
• Copulation
• Mating behavior

Usage Notes

Nuptial gifts can improve mating success and female fecundity and vary widely among different species, from prey items to glandular secretions.