Courtship-ritual
Guides
Deuterosminthurus bicinctus
Deuterosminthurus bicinctus is a springtail species in the family Bourletiellidae, first described by Koch in 1840. It is notable for its elaborate courtship and mating rituals involving spermatophore transfer, which have been studied in detail. Males perform a complex sequence of behaviors including a rhythmic head-to-head 'dance' to direct females to deposited spermatophores. The species has been recorded across Europe, the Mediterranean region, Macaronesia, and Australia.