Can worms choose their mates?

Worms, specifically hermaphrodite worms, can indeed choose whether to mate with males or not. This decision is significant because mating with a male is energetically costly and can shorten the lifespan of the worms due to potential injuries from males and the energy expended during mating. Additionally, mating with a male results in diluting their own genome since they can self-fertilize and transmit their genes without alteration. However, mating with a male also allows for diversification of their genome, which can be evolutionarily advantageous. Stress conditions, like high temperatures, can also impact a worm’s offspring by increasing their tendency to mate with males, mediated through the secretion of pheromones that attract males 1 2.