Supratim_Photography
Mutillidae Velvet ant mating behavior
Copulation of velvet ant lasts for several minutes. The male, in this group, is larger than the female. The male, during copulation, usually grasps the female at her neck region with the help of mandibles and fore legs. He grabs her firmly and keeps her close to his ventral side of the body. By this way, she is literally being lifted up from the ground and hangs in the air between his mandibles and fore legs. Such a fascinating and romantic mating ritual I have witnessed ever in the insect world!
Mutillidae Velvet ant mating behavior
Copulation of velvet ant lasts for several minutes. The male, in this group, is larger than the female. The male, during copulation, usually grasps the female at her neck region with the help of mandibles and fore legs. He grabs her firmly and keeps her close to his ventral side of the body. By this way, she is literally being lifted up from the ground and hangs in the air between his mandibles and fore legs. Such a fascinating and romantic mating ritual I have witnessed ever in the insect world!