Sexual cannibalism in the praying mantis
Cannibalism during courtship/mating occurs with relatively low frequency in the majority of animal taxa, however is comparatively widespread among the insect taxa (Barry et al' 2008) (Barry et al' 2009). Sexual cannibalism is most commonly witnessed among the praying mantis species, with mating behaviors resulting in the female consuming the male before, during or immediately after mating (Barry et al' 2008) (Barry et al' 2009). The praying mantises are a group of insects that are primarily ambush predators, with different species displaying alternative strategies in copulation. The process of copulation in praying mantises typically involves two main phases, the approach and mount phase followed by copulation (Gemeno & Claramunt 2006). Techniques of mounting and copulation by male mantises has shown to differ among individuals of the same species. Mate selection of the male by the female has also gathered numerous hypotheses, with some interesting behaviors that may determine the fate of the courting male (Barry et al' 2009).
Click on these links below to find out how and why sexual cannibalism occurs in mantises, with a viewpoint from both sexes!
Click on these links below to find out how and why sexual cannibalism occurs in mantises, with a viewpoint from both sexes!