Press release: Promiscuous butterflies

6 February 2007

A study at UCL finds that a high-prevalence of male-killing bacteria active in many species of insect including the butterfly, actually increases female promiscuity and male fatigue.

The team found that when the male insect population drops - killed off by the bacteria - the female butterfly becomes more sexually rampant. Males on the other hand show signs of fatigue and put less effort into mating.