Anatomy:
The praying mantis is considered one of the larger insect types. They grow up to six inches long have an average life span of 12 months. The praying mantis gets its name from the front legs. Typically, the praying mantis stands with its four back legs and has the two front legs brought in an upward position just under the head which makes the insect appear that it is praying. From looking at the figure on the left, you can see the Praying Mantis's three segments: the head, thorax, and abdomen. The head is triangular and small, with long antennas, compound eyes, and mandibles for ripping its prey apart. The mantis's eyes are spread far apart, this allows them to have binocular vision and be able to see as a far as twenty meters. The middle section of the mantis known as the thorax is the where the front legs are attached to. The forelegs are beefy and strong with spikes on the underside to allow the mantis to have a firm grasp on its prey, and for defense. The forelegs are usually curled up into the "praying" position and can spring out to great length so that the mantis can catch its prey by surprise. Some mantises have wings while others do not. Interestingly, if the mantis has wings, then it will have two pairs of wings. The back wings play the most prominent role in flight. The last segment of the mantis is the abdomen, which is the largest segment. In males the abdomen tends to be thinner, so that they can take flight easily while searching for a mate. The females have a wider abdomen so that they can house the reproductive machinery for when they start pumping the eggs out.
The praying mantis is considered one of the larger insect types. They grow up to six inches long have an average life span of 12 months. The praying mantis gets its name from the front legs. Typically, the praying mantis stands with its four back legs and has the two front legs brought in an upward position just under the head which makes the insect appear that it is praying. From looking at the figure on the left, you can see the Praying Mantis's three segments: the head, thorax, and abdomen. The head is triangular and small, with long antennas, compound eyes, and mandibles for ripping its prey apart. The mantis's eyes are spread far apart, this allows them to have binocular vision and be able to see as a far as twenty meters. The middle section of the mantis known as the thorax is the where the front legs are attached to. The forelegs are beefy and strong with spikes on the underside to allow the mantis to have a firm grasp on its prey, and for defense. The forelegs are usually curled up into the "praying" position and can spring out to great length so that the mantis can catch its prey by surprise. Some mantises have wings while others do not. Interestingly, if the mantis has wings, then it will have two pairs of wings. The back wings play the most prominent role in flight. The last segment of the mantis is the abdomen, which is the largest segment. In males the abdomen tends to be thinner, so that they can take flight easily while searching for a mate. The females have a wider abdomen so that they can house the reproductive machinery for when they start pumping the eggs out.
Diet and Hunting:
The praying mantis is a carnivorous insect and feeds on insects, arachnids, lizards, small mammals and even small birds. They hunt by remaining still for long periods time, with their arms tucked into the praying position. Once the prey wanders to close to the mantis, the mantis will strike out with its spiked forelegs and hook its self to the prey and begin devouring it while it is still alive. The video on the right shows a praying mantis easily taking down a mouse, burying the mandibles into the mouse and eating it alive. A quick search on YouTube will lead to dozens of videos of praying mantises battling and hunting other animals. |
|
Sexual Cannibalism:
During sex, the female begins the cannibalism by tearing the males head off! More than often, the male mantis instigates gruesome ritual and brings the death upon himself. The male courts the female by standing before her, spreading his wings and swinging his abdomen back forth. Then he proceeds to jump to her back and mount her. Once the male has impregnated the female, the female will tear his head off and him, as seen in the figure on the right. One of the reasons for this cannibalism is so that the female can use the male as a major food source as she prepares to lay the eggs. While this does not seem to be in the male's best interest, the male is able to fulfill his role in life which is passing his gene's down to the next generation.
During sex, the female begins the cannibalism by tearing the males head off! More than often, the male mantis instigates gruesome ritual and brings the death upon himself. The male courts the female by standing before her, spreading his wings and swinging his abdomen back forth. Then he proceeds to jump to her back and mount her. Once the male has impregnated the female, the female will tear his head off and him, as seen in the figure on the right. One of the reasons for this cannibalism is so that the female can use the male as a major food source as she prepares to lay the eggs. While this does not seem to be in the male's best interest, the male is able to fulfill his role in life which is passing his gene's down to the next generation.