Homosexuality in species of spiders and insects is accidental and merely a case of mistaken identity, Tel Aviv University researchers found.
Homosexual behavior among bugs, insects and spiders is very common. This includes courting and trying to mate with members of the same sex. Up until now, researchers were not sure about what role evolution played in the peculiar behavior of certain insect species. Previously, researchers speculated that this homosexuality in bugs could serve to prepare for heterosexual courtship, dispose of old sperm, discourage predators, and distract competitors like in mammals and birds and that homosexuality provides "practice" for young adults and maintains alliances within groups
Dr. Inon Scharf of Tel Aviv University's Department of Zoology and Dr. Oliver Martin of ETH Zurich conducted a study to find explanations for this behavior. After studying 110 species of male insects and spiders, they came to the conclusion that their findings poorly support previously suggested "adaptive behavior" of the creature. The concluded that homosexuality in species of spiders and insects is accidental and merely a case of mistaken identity. Such creatures are often in a hurry to produce offspring and hence, don't take enough time to consider the gender of their mating partners.
"Insects and spiders mate quick and dirty," Dr. Scharf observed. "The cost of taking the time to identify the gender of mates or the cost of hesitation appears to be greater than the cost of making some mistakes."
Homosexuality comes at a huge cost. It includes expending sperm, wasting time that could go toward other activities, and boosting the risk of injury, disease, and predation. Some studies have also found that homosexuality can shorten the lives of active homosexual men by 25 percent. Despite all this, more than 85 percent of males of some species engage in homosexual activities. However, more than 80 percent of homosexual cases among bugs, insects and spiders were found to be a result of mistaken identity.
Moreover, in some species, the cost of being rejected by a female for mating is considered far higher than mating with a member of similar sex.
"Homosexual behavior may be genomically linked to being more active, a better forager, or a better competitor," said Dr. Schart. "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."
