Natural History Wanderings

The New York Times reports

Males and females of a species that mates monogamously complete their bond by gnawing off each other’s wings, a new study found.

For certain cockroaches living inside rotten logs in Asia, nothing says “I love you” like some minor cannibalism.

Newly mated pairs of one species, Salganea taiwanensis, take turns chewing each other’s wings down to stubs after they move into the homes where they will jointly raise babies. Scientists say this unique behavior may have evolved because of the roaches’ truly monogamous bond.

Read more at Cannibalism May Be Key for These Cockroach Couples – The New York Times