Sexual cannibalism
Another form of insect cannibalism is based around a female and her mate. Sexual cannibalism, where females eat courting males before, during, or immediately after copulation, is widespread among arthropods. This form of cannibalism is arguably the most common form of cannibalism seen in insects (Elgar 1992). The outwardly strange nature of this phenomenon has perplexed researchers, and led them to question how it evolved. Basically, this behaviour is concerned with balancing the benefits and costs for each sex: cannibalised males, though killed, may provide nutrients for the development of their offspring in the female. Cannibalistic females, though they become better nourished, may interrupt the receipt of sperm, or may not receive any sperm at all (Johns 1999). The effects of these costs and benefits are weighed by many species of insects, and sexual cannibalism may often result. Polyandry (i.e. a female with more than one male mate) may provide females with benefits that directly affect their condition and fecundity and/or enhance the quality of their offspring. In polyandrous species exhibiting sexual cannibalism, females may gain considerable nutritional benefits through consuming a mating partner (Welke & Schneider, 2012).
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