| German | German Weichkäfer. Gustatorische Balz: Begegnung von Männchen und Weibchen, Knabbern des Weibchens an der Kopfgrube des Männchens, die ein Geschmackssekret enthält, Bewegung der weiblichen Maxillarpalpen; Kopulation. |
| English | English The film deals with the mating of the malachiid Malachius bipustulatus L. The male possesses in the anterior part of the head, a secreting organ (the head cavity) which is proffered to the female for palpation with the mouthparts (the mandibles). During this chewing act, the tips of the two pairs of palps of the female, which carry gustoreceptors, come into contact with the secreted flavour. The female is only willing to mate after several takings of the secretion. The male tests the willingness of his partner to copulate by touching her at the back. The film shows from various angles, the encounter, chewing act, movement of the female maxillary palps (greatly enlarged), the test touching and copulation. |
