Bug boffins find 85% of creepy crawlies are mating “quick and dirty” with the same sex because they’re desperate to reproduce
It’s a part of evolution that has baffled scientists for years.
Now, research shows homosexual mating between male insects only happens because the mini beasts are in such a rush to reproduce.
Scientists studying insects and spiders found 85% of males engaged in homosexual acts in a bid to find their perfect mates.
But the strong urge to procreate meant the crawlies were jumping into bed with anyone, instead of spending enough time inspecting their mates’ genders.
The collaborative study, published by Doctor Inon Scharf of Tel Aviv University and Doctor Oliver Martin of ETH Zurich University, found spiders and insects have not evolved to properly work out their mating choices.
Dr Sharf, publishing in the journal of Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology, said it was unclear what role evolution played in the process.
“Like heterosexual behaviour, it takes time and energy and can be dangerous,’ he said. “And it lacks the potential payoff of procreation.”
Speaking in August, before the study was published, he added: “Insects and spiders mate quick and dirty. The cost of taking the time to identify the gender of mates or the cost of hesitation appears to be greater than the cost of making some mistakes.”
In the study, which looked at 110 species, the researchers concluded that “gay” insect sex only happened because the males were still carrying pheromones from previous sexual activities with other females.