The insect that survives a brutal mating ritual by sacrificing its own wings

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the world of the hump-winged grig, romance is a literal bloodbath. To secure a mate, the male must endure a process where the female consumes his hind wings and drinks his hemolymph. It is a high-stakes survival strategy that reveals how extreme evolutionary pressures shape the most unusual reproductive behaviors.

The hump-winged grig, classified within the genus Cyphoderris and the family Prophalangopsidae, represents a fascinating relic of the insect world. While these crickets are currently restricted to specific regions in northwestern North America and central Asia, their history is far more expansive. Fossil evidence confirms that these insects once enjoyed a much wider global distribution, marking them as survivors of a lineage that has persisted through significant environmental shifts over geological time.

The mating ritual of these insects is defined by a striking degree of physical sacrifice. Males initiate the process by positioning themselves head-down on tree trunks, emitting high-pitched trills to attract potential partners. Once a female mounts the male, he secures her abdomen using specialized hooks on his back to facilitate the transfer of a spermatophore. During this encounter, the female feeds on the male's hind wings and consumes his hemolymph, or insect blood, to gain energy. This act causes permanent, though non-fatal, damage to the male's anatomy.

Research into their behavior highlights how hunger dictates reproductive choices. Females that are nutrient-deprived are significantly less selective and initiate mating more rapidly than their well-fed counterparts. This creates a distinct advantage for males that have not yet mated, known as virgin males. Because they possess intact hind wings, these males are generally more successful in attracting and securing partners compared to those who have already endured the damage of a previous encounter. This dynamic illustrates a complex interplay between immediate survival needs and long-term reproductive success, where the cost of mating is literally written into the male's physical form.

Ultimately, the hump-winged grig serves as a reminder of the diverse strategies insects employ to ensure the continuation of their species. By balancing the high cost of reproduction against the necessity of attracting a mate, these crickets have maintained their presence in the ecosystem despite the physical toll of their unique mating habits.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• Night singers with ovipositors star from Pinocchio to Dickens
• The Darwin's beetle uses massive jaws to secure a single mate
• The surprising biological drive behind why butterflies congregate on mud and carrion
• The humpbacked insects that thrive in total darkness and survive on almost nothing
• Birdwings are giant, toxic butterflies that use complex light-bending tricks to dazzle potential mates.
• Why these ancient, equal-footed crustaceans are the masters of almost every environment
• Why the European lobster turns bright red only after it hits the pot
• The largest arthropod in Earth's history was a terrifying, two-metre-long aquatic predator.
• Why these strange, clawless crustaceans are the masters of the world's sandy beaches
• The Japanese rhinoceros beetle uses a pitchfork-shaped horn to fight for territory and mates.
• The Malayan jungle nymph is a heavy, thorny insect with a surprising defense mechanism.
• The Japanese spider crab is the largest arthropod on Earth with a massive reach.

More in Arthropods · More in Nature · Latest · A–Z · All topics