defense and defenestration

ecocides:

‘Spider’s erection’ by biologist Natacha Merritt

“Spiders have fantastic genitals, even in their non-extended state. Few people have ever seen an erect spider penis, though. Actually, their penises come in pairs called pedipalps: the males ejaculate onto a silk web and suck up the sperm with their pedipalps. Then they try to mate with females, a complex process that often involves a sort of high-speed dance since the females are usually twice their size – at least – and very likely to attempt to eat them.”
…
“I’m sure pictures of spider erections have appeared before in scientific journals, but I added extra lighting to give the shot a romantic feel. I think evolution is one of the most beautiful art forms. Since biologists wouldn’t shoot spiders in this way, it’s probably the first ever artistic shot of a spider erection..” - Natacha Merritt - via guardian.co.uk

‘Spider’s erection’ by biologist Natacha Merritt

“Spiders have fantastic genitals, even in their non-extended state. Few people have ever seen an erect spider penis, though. Actually, their penises come in pairs called pedipalps: the males ejaculate onto a silk web and suck up the sperm with their pedipalps. Then they try to mate with females, a complex process that often involves a sort of high-speed dance since the females are usually twice their size – at least – and very likely to attempt to eat them.”

…

“I’m sure pictures of spider erections have appeared before in scientific journals, but I added extra lighting to give the shot a romantic feel. I think evolution is one of the most beautiful art forms. Since biologists wouldn’t shoot spiders in this way, it’s probably the first ever artistic shot of a spider erection..” - Natacha Merritt - via guardian.co.uk

avali:

headlikeanorange:

A male Six-plumed Bird-of-Paradise tidies up his display area and tries to attract a female.

All I can think of is Thane.

supey:

misterstibbons:

I have a lot of pictures of insect genitalia saved.

This isn’t even an exhaustive collection.

did you know “beetleskin” is slang for condom

The nerve endings, in addition to other readings, undoubtedly produce tactile sensations when the tusk is rubbed or touched, and that these might be interpreted as pleasurable. This tactile sense might explain why narwhals engage in what is known as “tusking,” where two males gently rub tusks together.

“

—	I’m reading about narwhals. (via wonderbecky) #opens text editor #writes narwhal slash (via gematriya)

collapsiblepants:

bullshit-bullsharks:

If you’re from Central America or the southeastern United States, I bet you recognize this bug and cringed at the sight of it. This is the lovebug (Plecia nearctica), a type of march fly that is infamous for it’s semi-annual flight. Hundreds of thousands of these guys fly twice a year, in late spring and late summer. Adults don’t seem to live long, dying around seven days after mating. They feed on nectar, but as young larvae (maggots) they will feed on decayed vegetation which, at that time, may be beneficial. What’s not so beneficial is the swarm of these guys coming at you in a huge cloud looking like black snow.

Photo credit: Carla Finley

MY FRESHMAN YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL

THEY WERE EVERYWHERE

FOR LIKE A MONTH

BUGS HAVING SEX ON YOUR CAR

BUGS HAVING SEX INSIDE YOUR CAR

BUGS HAVING SEX IN YOUR HAIR

SPLATTERED BUGS STILL HAVING SEX ON THE WINDSHIELD OF YOUR CAR

BUGS HAVING SEX EVERYWHERE

jtotheizzoe:

A rare gynandomorph butterfly, which was born half-female and half-male, was hatched in London’s Natural History Museum!

“The butterfly’s body is split in two, its sexual organs are half and half, and even its antennae are different lengths.

“It is a complete split; part-male, part-female… welded together inside.”

(via BBC Nature)