The spermalege (also known as the organ of Berlese) is a special-purpose organ found in bed bugs that appears to have evolved to mitigate the effects of traumatic insemination. The spermalege has two embryologically distinct parts, known as the ectospermalege and mesospermalege. The evolution of the spermalege as a female counter-adaptation for traumatic insemination was first proposed by Jacques Carayon in 1966.