Organisms That Die Soon After Mating

RIVANSHI RAKHRAI

Male twisted-wing parasites live only a few hours after mating. The females are permanently embedded inside other insects, and the males only need to find a mate to reproduce.

Twisted-Wing Parasite

In this species, the male fertilizes the female with a special organ, which the female then detaches and eats, giving the male a fatal dose of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH).

Sac Spiders

Male octopuses die shortly after mating due to the energy expended on sperm production. Female octopuses guard their eggs and often die of starvation after the eggs hatch.

Octopus

Native to southeastern Australia, male brown antechinus have a single breeding season where they mate excessively. This leads to their immune systems collapsing and dying shortly after.

Brown Antechinus

Male nautiluses have a reduced lifespan after mating due to the damage caused by breaking off part of their shell during the elaborate mating ritual.

Nautilus

Drone bees exist primarily to mate with the queen. After mating, their reproductive organs explode, leading to their death.

Honeybee Drones

Pacific salmon famously migrate upriver to lay their eggs, leaping up waterfalls and swimming against strong currents. After reproducing, females die almost immediately,

Pacific Salmon