After researching the homosexual tendencies of billions of insects and spiders, scientists have concluded that it’s a case of mistaken identity. Up to 85 percent of male insects engage in homosexual acts but scientists now believe that the same sex mating is accidental. Boasting one of the strongest evolutionary drives, the bugs reportedly are in such a hurry to reproduce that they do not take enough time to discern their potential mate’s gender.
Doctor Inon Scharf of Tel Aviv University and Doctor Oliver Martin of ETH Zurich University published theirfindings in the journal of Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology after reviewing past studies of 110 species of male insects and spiders, concluding there is almost no evolutionary advantage to insect homosexuality, unlike birds and some mammals.
“It is unclear what role evolution plays in this curious situation. Like heterosexual behavior, it takes time and energy and can be dangerous – and it lacks the potential payoff of procreation,” the authors noted.
The doctors propose in their study that insect homosexual activity occurs because males carry pheromones from previous sexual activities with other females. Those pheromones in turn attract other males.
Dr. Scharf said, “Homosexual behavior may be genomically linked to being more active, a better forager, or a better competitor. So even though misidentifying mates isn’t a desirable trait, it’s part of a package of traits that leaves the insect better adapted overall.”
He also said “Insects and spiders mate quick and dirty.’
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