Key Takeaway
New research sheds light on the genetic basis of the venomous insect’s ‘weird mating behaviour’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIf you think you’ve had a bad one-night stand, spare a thought for the male redback spider, whose sole reproductive partner eats him after sex. Male redbacks appear…
Published August 11, 2026 · Category: News
Overview
New research sheds light on the genetic basis of the venomous insect’s ‘weird mating behaviour’
If you think you’ve had a bad one-night stand, spare a thought for the male redback spider, whose sole reproductive partner eats him after sex.
Details
Male redbacks appear to invite this cannibalism through a “self-sacrificial somersault”, with new research shedding light on the genetic basis of the behaviour.
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Source
Originally published at www.theguardian.com.
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New research sheds light on the genetic basis of the venomous insect’s ‘weird mating behaviour’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIf you think you’ve had a bad one-night stand, spare a thought for the male redback spider, whose sole reproductive partner eats him after sex.Male redbacks appear to invite this cannibalism through a “self-sacrificial somersault”, with new research shedding light on the genetic basis of the
Who reported this story?+
This story was reported by The Guardian World.