More than 60 per cent of sexual interactions end in males being consumed, mostly without mating
35 per cent of struggles resulted in the female grasping the male first, and all such struggles ended in cannibalism. Of these, 67 per cent ended in mating (half of which subsequently ended in cannibalism), 13 per cent ended in cannibalism without mating and 20 per cent ended in neither cannibalism nor mating. Researchers think the 'intimidatory and injurious nature' of male wrestling behaviour suggests it is a form of 'sexual coercion' by which males compel females to mate. In sexually cannibalistic insects where females consume males before, during or after mating, the greater burden of costs is borne by males. Therefore, male mating tactics are required that reduce the risk of cannibalistic attack. Rare examples of males mating coercively rather than cautiously can also be found in some sexually cannibalistic spiders