Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 March 1914 — INSECTS MAKE LOVE AND ARE JEALOUS [ARTICLE]

INSECTS MAKE LOVE AND ARE JEALOUS

Pop the Question with Many a Flirt of Body; Showing Off Their Attractions HARVARD PROFESSOR’S THEORY William M. Wheeler, of Bussey Institute, Describes the Emotional Life of Grasshoppers, Crickets, Scorpions, Butterflies and Other Bugs. Cambridge, Mass. —When a man is head over heels In love; when he Is torn by jealousy; when hatred of a rival possesses him, he often becomes a “bug,” to use an expression rather slangy. Still, it is surprising that when an insect is filled with love, Jealousy or hate, It becomes more of a bug than ever. Prof. William M. Wheeler of the Bussey Institute, Harvard University, has been deeply interested in the question, “Have insects an emotional life?” Prof. Wheeler has been carefully studying grasshoppers, crickets, scorpions, butterflies, and many other insects. He declares there are strong indications that all of them feel jealousy, hate and love, and that they display physical courage at exactly the proper moment. Besides, some of these small creatures are love-makers as expert as a nobleman with an old title and without a penny, who woos a millionaire’s daughter. “It is a mistake to think that only the higher animals have definite methods of love-making,” said Prof. Wheeler. The fact Is that scores of Insects have really complicated methods of attracting mates. Some of these methods are the conventionalities and traditions of insect courtship. “Just as among human beings, nearly all insects seek to attract mates either by their brilliant colors and good looks or by some weird accomplishment. On the other hand, the female In every species of Insect life affects a manner of great coyness.” Prof. Wheeler then described the method of the scorpion beau to Introduce himself to a lady scorpion. “The male scorpion, having gained the attentlonlSf ~th¥~female, advances" toward her with a sort of sidewise, hesitating walk. As they fapproaeh the walk slows to a very deliberate advance. At a little distance they halt and gaze intensely-into each other’s eyes.” “What beautiful eyes you have," - says the human to the object of his affection. To return to the scorpion. “Then, still seeming to gaze Intently at each other, they raise themselves vertically and hold this position for several minutes. After this introduction the scorpions take a sort of promenade, one of the most serious features of the love-making programme.” Prof. Wheeler described the wooing of some species of spiders: “The male, having selected his bride, advances to her, gazes at her for a moment and then begins a, weird dance. He leaps Into the air, balances himself first on his fore and then on his rear legs, and goes through a series of antics, all of which the female regards with great complacency. At the end of the dance the spider approaches the female and claims her as his bride.” Like a love-sick swain who twangs his guitar beneath her gallery, a cricket or a grasshopper serenades his lady love. And a cricket fights tor her, duels with his rival before her eyes. Said the professor: “Nearly always these duels are fought in the presence of the desired one, and in true mediaeval fashion. The maiden, concealed near by, watches the conflict with great interest until the victor conquers his rival and carries her off as his mate.”