Spider Mite Males Strip Females for First Mating

Male spider mites have been observed to undress premature females that are about to molt and mature, in order to secure the first mating. This behavior increases the male's reproductive success by preventing rival males from inseminating the female. The undressing process involves the male actively stripping off the old skin of the female, exposing her genital opening for mating. This behavior highlights the intense competition for first mating in spider mites and sheds light on the complex reproductive strategies of these tiny arachnids.