Japanese forest cockroaches Salganea taiwanensis are characterized by monogamy and strong pair bonds for life, which is quite rare in the wild.
However, when scientists looked closely at the lives of these creatures, they discovered that alongside the astonishing cockroach love lurked natural cannibalism.
It turned out that after mating, cockroaches begin to gnaw on each other's wings. Soon, only "stubs" remain, making it impossible to fly away from their partner.
As part of the study, observations were conducted on 24 cockroach family unions in Japanese forests. Scientists noted that partners took turns gnawing on each other's wings, with neither resisting. Field studies showed that the wings of over 99% of cockroaches were damaged or completely eaten during such relationships.
It remains a mystery why the insects do this. Perhaps this is how they truly achieve mutual fidelity.
