National Geographic News, Reporting Your World Daily

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Photo: Bat Bugs Evolved Fake Genitals to Avoid Sex Injuries


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Bat bugs swarm across a cave wall near a fruit bat colony. The tiny bugs (inset) related to bed bugs suck the blood of bats.

New research shows that the bugs are using an odd mix of gender-bending tactics to avoid injury during sexual encounters.

Photographs © Richard Naylor