postcopulatory

/ˌpoʊstˈkɑpjələˌtɔri/
adjective
  1. Occurring or relating to the period after mating in animals.
    • Postcopulatory behavior in some birds includes the male bringing food to the female.
    • Postcopulatory guarding is common in many insect species to prevent other males from mating.
    • Scientists study postcopulatory processes to understand how sperm competition works.