Mario Schweiger wrote:I confirm, this is a mating try.
At combats, the two males never bite each other - as much/many I have seen until now.
Thanks Mario! I've witnessed both to courtships (with or without actual mating) and duels and the distinction between the two is not so immediate, especially if you are not an expert and especially if the female doesn't want to cooperate with the male.
The distinction that somebody makes "duels are violent, courtships are very quiet and peaceful" is not a true one in my opinion.
I think that mating attempts are characterised by 3 signs, and I've written this in my comments of the video.
1) The male bites the female (usually on the neck or the first half of the trunk) with the attempt to stop her
2) The male tries to put his vent against the vent of the female, in order to stimulate her and finally to mate: these movements are rather easy recognizable
3) The male rubs his "chin" over the back of the female, attracted by her pheromons