Can a beetle fall in love with a bottle?

Beetles on the bottle: male buprestids mistake stubbies for females

Male Australian jewel beetles fell in love with discarded beer bottles.

Ig Nobel 2011

Researchers in Western Australia found male jewel beetles trying to mate with brown “stubby” beer bottles. The bottles are shiny, brown and covered in little bumps, just like a very large and very attractive female.

The beetles kept at it even when it went badly for them. After the research, the brewery changed the bottle design.

the verdict

Love is blind. Also, sometimes, a bottle.