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Tough Tradeoff: Beetle brains show how sex shortens life

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

Neurosurgery in beetles uncovers yet another way that having sex can make life shorter.

DANGEROUS LIAISON. Although vital for the continuation of their species, mealworm beetles’ mating shortens their lives. A. Syred/Microscopix

Many insects and some other animals tend to die younger if they mate than if they don’t, says Michael Siva-Jothy of the University of Sheffield in England.