Strange winged insects with dramatic life cycles: Mayflies have a secret to tearing that catches the researchers' attention

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Strange winged insects with dramatic life cycles: Mayflies have a secret to tearing that catches the researchers' attention
MayfliesCopulationLong-Handled Net

The study on mayfly mating involved researchers studying copulation in mayflies by catching mating pairs with a long-handled net and preserving the moment with freezing spray. The researchers discovered that male mayflies have two separate penis lobes with spines in between them and claspers on both sides of the paired penis. The penis changes shape during mating, causing the penis lobes to fold over and the spines to prick into the female's copulatory pouch, stretching the pouch to receive large amounts of sperm.

Researchers studying copulation in mayflies pulled off a stunt worthy of the naughtiest ancient Greek myths by using a long-handled net to catch mating insects and then using freezing spray to preserve the moment for study.

They discovered that the males have two separate penis lobes with spines in between them and claspers on both sides of the paired penis. The penis changes shape during mating through powerful muscles, causing the penis lobes to fold over and the spines to prick into the female's copulatory pouch, stretching the pouch to receive large amounts of sperm. Males die of exhaustion from swarming flight soon after mating, and the females lay fertilized eggs and die as well

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Mayflies Copulation Long-Handled Net Freezing Spray Strange Winged Insects Strumming Darwin Mating Behavior Penis Reconfiguration Penis Lobes Male Death

 

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