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Paedogenesis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Paedogenesis is the act of reproduction by an organism that has not achieved physical maturity. It is associated with progenesis, where sexual maturity is achieved in the juvenile form and further physical maturity is not achieved.
The ability for paedogenesis is found in insects in which the larval stage reproduces without achieving maturity. It occurs in the females of certain beetles, Strepsiptera, bagworms, and gall midges.
Occasionally, in certain species such as midges, the larva are essentially born pregnant and reproduce quickly. Often, these insects will devour the mother in the process. This process is usually triggered by periods of food abundance in the area and will continue indefinitely until the abundance of food is gone.
While paedogenesis for purposes of reproduction aren't possible with human children, it has been observed that human females who grow up in the presence of males other than direct family will mature sexually at an accelerated rate.[citation needed]