More Rapey Insects

Geez, as if bedbugs stabbing their mates in the stomach with their spearlike penises wasn’t bad enough, look at how water striders do it: “Water strider sex begins unceremoniously: the male mounts the female without any courtship rituals or foreplay. She may resist but if she does, he starts to actively strum the water surface with his legs. Each vibration risks attracting the attention of a hungry predator, like a fish or backswimmer…. And because the female is underneath, she will bear the brunt of any assault. By creating dangerous vibes, the male intimidates the female into submitting to his advances. Faint heart, it is said, never did win fair lady.” You could indeed say that. So much for the sensitive strider theory.