Fallout 4's Stingwing: An Unexpected Lesson in Traumatic Insemination

Fallout 4 players have long been fascinated by the mutant creatures that populate the game’s post-apocalyptic world. One such creature, the Stingwing, has sparked a lively discussion among fans and led to a surprising educational moment about the insect reproductive strategy known as "traumatic insemination."

Originating from a Tumblr post, the conversation began when users debated the nature of the Stingwing. User "diloraptor" reblogged a post from "sir-conoradly-deactivated201709," which dated back to November 23, 2015. The original post by "bogleech" on November 13, 2015, questioned what type of insect the Stingwing was, with the user noting that players had referred to it as a giant mutant wasp, dragonfly, or Mecoptera.

"askblupratto," another user, provided clarity by posting an image of the Stingwing from Fallout 4, identifying it as the new Cazador. The image showed the Stingwing as a large insect with long wings, a slender body, and a formidable stinger. This visual confirmation led "bogleech" to conclude that the Stingwing was, in fact, a Mecoptera, commonly known as a scorpionfly. "Oh wow, that’s Mecoptera alright! Otherwise known as scorpionflies! I am really impressed that they added an insect so frequently overlooked to such a mainstream game," they remarked.

The discussion took a fascinating turn when users delved into the concept of traumatic insemination, a reproductive strategy seen in some insects. This term refers to a process where the male pierces the female's body to deposit s****, a method that can be as horrifying as it sounds. One comment humorously noted, "Everything can be a traumatic insemination when you swipe long enough on Tinder."

The Stingwing’s real-life counterpart, the scorpionfly, added another layer to the conversation. Scorpionflies are small, typically about a half-inch long, and their unique appearance and behaviors, including their reproductive strategies, captured the interest of the community. Another user mentioned, "Don't some species of snails do the traumatic insemination duels as well?" highlighting the widespread nature of this phenomenon.

For those curious about the biology and behaviors of these insects, the discussion provided a wealth of knowledge. The Fallout 4 fandom's engagement with the Stingwing illustrates how video games can unexpectedly educate players about real-world science, even if it involves unsettling topics like traumatic insemination.

As a side note, fans of the Dropout comedy crew may find the show "WTF 101" particularly amusing. Episode S1E3 dives into darkly funny facts about the world, including the topic of traumatic insemination, as pointed out by a commenter.

While Fallout 4's Stingwing may be a fictional creature, it serves as a gateway to learning about fascinating and sometimes uncomfortable aspects of insect behavior. Whether one is a gamer, an entomology enthusiast, or simply curious, the Stingwing discussion is a testament to the unexpected intersections between entertainment and education.