A
spermatophore or sperm
ampulla is a capsule or mass containing
spermatozoa created by males of various animal species, especially
salamanders and
arthropods, and transferred in entirety to the female's
ovipore during reproduction. Spermatophores may additionally contain nourishment for the female, in which case it is called a
nuptial gift, as in the instance of
bush crickets. In the case of the toxic moth
Utetheisa ornatrix, the spermatophore includes sperm, nutrients, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) which prevent predation because it is poisonous to most organisms. However, in some species such as the
Edith's Checkerspot butterfly, the "gift" provides little nutrient value. The spermatophore transferred at mating has little effect on female reproductive output. The alternative hypothesis of its usefulness is that the process of eating the spermatophore prevents the female from subsequent copulation, thereby giving the male's sperm more time to fertilize.