Bizarre mating in the entimine weevil <italic>Polydrusus picus</italic>.

Abstract: We report and document a new and bizarre case of the male‐above position in the entimine weevil <italic>Polydrusus picus</italic>. Based on field and laboratory observations, video‐recording of mating behavior, instant fixation of couples, and morphological studies, we found that males insert their endophallus deeply into the female vagina, withdraw the female ovipositor and vagina out of the female body, and keep the posture more than 20 min. A possible interpretation is that the unique mating position has evolved to increase the control over mating by the males. From the female side, it could be regarded as a compromising strategy against unwanted copulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]