UPSC Prelims 2008 · General Studies
Question 28: Science and Technology
In which one of the following kinds of organisms is the phenomenon found wherein the female kills the male after copulation?
AnswerThe answer is (c).
Sexual cannibalism, where the female kills the male after mating, is well known in spiders, notably the black widow, and in a few other arachnids such as some scorpions. Dragonflies, honeybees and pit vipers do not behave this way. A drone honeybee does die after mating, but because his reproductive organ is torn off, not because the queen kills him.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Dragonflies mate without the female killing the male.
- (b) A drone honeybee dies after mating because his organ is torn off; the queen does not kill him.
- (c) Female spiders such as the black widow may kill and eat the male after mating.
- (d) Pit vipers do not kill their mates after copulation.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2008, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.