Love is indeed all around.
February is known as the month of love, but it is not only humans that celebrate this special month.
Interestingly, humans and insects share one thing when it comes to love – that is: the male must prove himself worthy of the female Whether the female chooses her male by flying into a swarm of males or by reacting to his signs of affection or tempting treats, she will ensure her time spent with him is not a waste.
Most female insects find more than one partner with whom she will share her love with for a brief time. For instance, female crickets will mate with a different male at least once a day (sometimes even 3 times a day).
The Lovebug, also known as the “honeymoon fly” or “double-headed bug” is often seen in a tender embrace with its partner.
This tender embrace usually lasts up to 12 hours, where after the male lovebug dies and becomes a nutrient sacrifice for his young, being the nutrients that the female will need to produce healthy eggs.
She will lay anything between 100 – 350 eggs in a safe space, usually underneath decaying vegetation and debris. Her eggs will take about 2 – 4 days to hatch and the larvae will then feed on the decaying vegetation where they will stay hidden. Depending on the temperature, the lovebug larvae will remain in this phase for 120 days (in warmer conditions) to 240 days (in cooler temperatures) until they reach the pupa stage. They will stay in the pupal stage for about 7 – 9 days before reaching adulthood, ready to start their love journey with a new mate.
Like the lovebug, there are many more insects that share their love the same way. In the end, we all know that a little love now and then does certainly make the world a better place!
