Oral sex is not just a practice employed by human beings. In fact, many species of animals rely on oral sex, sometimes in unusual ways, and sometimes even for different reasons as why we do it.
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One example of this behaviour can be seen in our cousin primates, the bonobos, who use sexual favours to obtain certain things. And this doesn't only apply to mammals. As it turns out, insects are into oral foreplay as well! One species, in particular, uses oral sex to lure its mating partner.
These insects also practice foreplay
Researchers have observed a species of beetle: the Platyope Mongolica, or Mongolian tenebrionid. They observed that the male of this species, used his maxillary palp (his mouth) to titillate the genitals of his female! In other words, he would offer her a cunnilingus, in order to reproduce with her. On the flip side, the female has been said to respond by making a suggestive movement of her hip area as a way to accept copulation, according to the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
Oral sex is important for the reproduction of these beetles
This courtship has therefore its importance in the mode of reproduction of these beetles. The research found that this act of oral sex is imperative in order for the female to decide whether the male is a suitable match to have her offspring with.
The researchers then removed the maxillary palps of some males, and observed a considerable decrease in the number of coitus and their duration after this removal. This shows that foreplay is not only important for the human species...
