Female pond skaters generally call the shots in sexual encounters because they have a "chastity shield" that covers their genitals. This means that males can only successfully mate when a female consents. However, males have been observed causing the water's surface to vibrate during courtship rituals, creating tiny ripples. These ripples attract predatory fish lurking beneath. The male persists in this seemingly reckless action until a female "consents" to sex.

Thanks to this couple that I photographed at the weekend, I’ve spent the last couple of days reading about Pond Skater sex. It’s very odd. See alt text for more detail. #insect #pondskater #insectsex

The pure luck of noticing these two rampant Harlequin ladybirds, literally doing the deed in our mint patch 🐞🖤❤️‍🔥 🌱 IMO that technique is worth investigating 💋👌! #Ladybird #Ladybug #InsectSex #Nature #Insects

I want you to stir up my insides until I’m nothing more than an incubator for your brood. Lay your precious eggs inside me, flood me with your fertilising excretions. Make me your hive-queen ❤️

#nsfwaudio #moaning #insectsex