Nuptial-feeding

Guides

• Bittacus

  hangingfly, hanging fly

  Bittacus is a genus of hangingflies (Mecoptera: Bittacidae) characterized by their distinctive habit of hanging from vegetation using their modified forelegs. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution and has existed since at least the Late Cretaceous. Bittacus is currently considered grossly paraphyletic, serving as a catch-all taxon for many distantly related hangingfly species. Members are predatory insects with specialized raptorial mid- and hindlegs used for capturing arthropod prey.

  hangingflyMecopteranuptial-feedingsexual-selectionraptorial-legsparaphyletic-genus

• Cyphoderris

  Hump-winged Grigs

  Cyphoderris is a genus of primitive orthopterans known as hump-winged grigs, representing a relict lineage of the ancient family Haglidae (now Prophalangopsidae). These cold-adapted, nocturnal insects are restricted to high-elevation coniferous forests and sagebrush meadows of western North America. Males produce acoustic signals by rubbing their forewings together to attract females. The genus exhibits unusual reproductive biology in which females feed on male metathoracic wing tissue during copulation, and males provide substantial proteinaceous spermatophores. Only three species are currently recognized: C. strepitans, C. buckelli, and C. monstrosa.

  acoustic-communicationnuptial-feedingsexual-selectioncold-adaptationrelict-speciesprimitive-Orthopteraspermatophorewing-feedingnocturnalspring-breeding

• Cyphoderris strepitans

  sagebrush cricket, sagebrush grig

  Cyphoderris strepitans is a primitive orthopteran and one of few surviving members of the family Prophalangopsidae, a relict group known primarily from fossils. The species is endemic to the mountains of Wyoming and Colorado, where males produce loud calling songs by stridulation to attract females. A notable feature of its reproductive biology is sexual cannibalism during mating, where females consume the male's fleshy hind wings and hemolymph, and subsequently a proteinaceous spermatophore. Males experience significant energetic costs from this nuptial feeding, reducing their ability to call and remate. The species is cold-adapted and capable of singing at temperatures as low as -8°C.

  primitive-orthopteranrelict-speciessexual-cannibalismnuptial-feedingcold-adaptedacoustic-signalingsagebrush-endemic

• Neonemobius cubensis

  Cuban Ground Cricket

  Neonemobius cubensis is a small ground cricket known from the Caribbean region and parts of the southeastern United States. The species is notable for an unusual mating behavior in which females feed on glandular tibial spurs of males during copulation, leaving visible damage on previously mated males. It belongs to the family Trigonidiidae, a group of crickets often associated with ground-dwelling habits.

  sexual-cannibalismnuptial-feedingground-cricketCaribbean-fauna

• Photinus ignitus

  Ignited Firefly

  Photinus ignitus is a North American firefly species distinguished by its bioluminescent courtship displays. Males produce characteristic flash patterns to attract females, who respond from perches in vegetation. Research has documented seasonal plasticity in female mate choice behavior, with females becoming less selective as the breeding season progresses. Like other Photinus species, it produces defensive compounds called lucibufagins that protect against predators.

  fireflybioluminescencemate-choiceseasonal-plasticitynuptial-giftaggressive-mimicryLampyridaeColeopteraNorth-Americaflash-communicationlucibufaginsexual-selectionoperational-sex-ratiocold-lightphotocytesluciferinluciferasenocturnalcourtshippredation-defenseinsect-declinelight-pollutionhabitat-lossinsecticide-exposuresoil-dwelling-larvaeglowwormpredatory-larvaesoft-bodied-preysnailsslugswormssoil-insectsbiological-controlflash-patternfemale-choicemale-choicebody-sizelantern-sizereproductive-investmentegg-provisioningspermatophoreflash-signalmating-successselectivitybreeding-seasondusknightvegetationgrasslawnsforestsfieldsedgescanopyairspaceColumbia-MarylandWashington-Baltimore-areaUniversity-of-Virginia-studylight-pollution-impactmating-disruptionurbanizationresidual-insecticideslawn-treatmentweather-cyclesfood-availabilitylarval-predationpopulation-fluctuationbanner-yearspectacleJuly-4thIndependence-DayMother-Nature's-fireworkspyrotechnictwinklinggalaxycold-light-efficiencyno-heat-productionphotocyte-cellsspecialized-light-organterminal-abdominal-segmentslightly-coloredgiant-eyesflash-detectionvisual-acuitynocturnal-visionchemical-ecologydefensive-chemistrysteroidal-pyronestoad-toxinsspider-repellentbird-repellentfemme-fatalepredatory-exploitationchemical-acquisitiondefense-sequestrationnuptial-feedingreproductive-successsexual-conflictflash-manipulationphotographic-challengeflash-rechargefemale-contortionflash-directionalityaimed-signalmale-expendabilityfemale-investmentoffspring-productionbattery-lifeconservation-concernpopulation-monitoringcitizen-scienceBoston-Museum-of-Sciencefirefly-data-projectAllegheny-National-Forestsynchronous-firefliesPhotinus-carolinusPhoturis-pennsylvanicaPennsylvania-Firefly-FestivalFIRE-TeamLynn-FaustSara-LewisThomas-EisnerAerial-FirebaughKyle-Hayneschemical-ecology-pioneerexperimental-studyfield-observationnatural-historybehavioral-ecologyethologyjournal-articlepeer-reviewed-researchscientific-investigationinsect-conservationnocturnal-insectbeetlesoft-winged-beetlenot-true-bugnot-flyElateroideaPolyphagaElateriformiaLampyrinaeLucidotiniaccepted-nameFall-192736-observationsiNaturalistGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeNCBIWikipediaBug-of-the-WeekEntomology-Todayincomplete-informationdata-limitedresearch-opportunityfurther-study-needed