Abnormal sexual behavior of isolated males of Cimex lectularius L
Rao, H.V.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology 10(4): 295-297
1972
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5189 PMID: 4659683 Document Number: 53071
In groups of well-fed virgin males of Cimex lectularius L. kept together for 3-5 weeks, homosexual activity occurred resulting in the penetration of the stretched intersegmental membrane of some by the paramere of others and the injection of sperm. The abberrant sexual drive was observed soon after feeding, and it lasted for about 24 h. Males into which sperm was injected gradually lost the power of movement, and activity ceased long before death. Although mobilisation of the amoebocytes for phagocytic destruction of foreign sperm took place, the males died within 2 or 3 days. There were no deaths within the same period among the donor males or unmated males of similar age.