Quck answer
Yes, female praying mantises often decapitate their mates during or after mating. This behavior is known as sexual cannibalism and is thought to have evolved as a way for the female to obtain essential nutrients for egg production. However, not all female praying mantises exhibit this behavior and it is more common in captivity than in the wild. Despite its gruesome nature, sexual cannibalism is just one of many fascinating and complex behaviors exhibited by these fascinating insects.
Wild Animals
The act of sexual reproduction can be quite violent for many species, but is it true that female praying mantises decapitate their partners after mating?
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It has been a long-standing myth that female praying mantises are violent and cannibalistic when it comes to mating. This rumor is so widespread that even children seem to know about it, especially those who have witnessed mantises in their classrooms. It is said that men should avoid mating with female mantises to prevent having their heads eaten by the female.
But is this claim true? Do female mantises really eat or cut off their mates’ heads, or is it just an exaggerated story? The answer lies in the fact that there are over 2,400 species of mantises. While we may have the typical green and stick-like mantis in mind, there are also colorful and creepy ones, and some are even cannibals. Before discussing the violent behavior of female mantises, it is best to understand the origin of this myth.
Studies show that this myth is actually based on scientific observations. In 1886, entomologist Leland Ossian Howard witnessed a female mantis systematically eat the left leg, left eye, and right leg of a male mantis before decapitating and eating its head. The male was trying to mate with the female the whole time. Howard stated that it was only by chance that a male escaped alive from the female’s embrace. Although this behavior was only observed in one species of mantis (Mantis carolina), it was later observed in Mantis religiosa and other species. Some scientists even studied the reason behind decapitation being useful for mating, but their theories were later disproven.
So, do female mantises really decapitate their mates? While it is occasionally observed, it is not always the case. A study conducted in 1984 showed that out of 40 pairs of mantises, only one was decapitated in almost 70 encounters. Therefore, the myth that female mantises are man-eaters should be abandoned.
Additional Information
Related Readings
- How Praying Mantis Functions
- 10 Bizarre Facts About Animals
- 10 Real Animals That Seem Imaginary
- 10 Animal Kingdom Superpowers
- 10 Surprising Animal Behaviors
References
- Crew, Becky. “The Femme Fatale That Wasn’t.” Cosmos Magazine. Nov. 10, 2011. (Oct. 16, 2014) http://web.cosmosmagazine.com/blog/the-femme-fatale-wasnt/
- Crump, Marty. “Headless Males Make Great Lovers.” University of Chicago Press. 2005. (Oct. 16, 2014) http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/121992.html
- Howard, L. O. “The Excessive Voracity of the Female Mantis.” Science. Oct. 8, 1886. (Oct. 16, 2014) http://www.jstor.org/stable/1761250
- LiskГ«, E. and W. J. Davis. “Courtship and Mating Behaviour of the Chinese Praying Mantis, Tenodera aridifolia sinensis.” Animal Behaviour. 35, 5. Volume 35, Issue 5, 1524–1537 Oct. 1987. (Oct. 16, 2014) http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003347287800246
- Otte, Daniel et al. “Montodea Species File Online.” Mantodea Species File. 2014. (Oct. 16, 2014) http://mantodea.speciesfile.org/HomePage/Mantodea/HomePage.aspx
- Wade, Lisa. “Male Mantis Need Not Pray.” Ms. Magazine. Nov. 29, 2010. (Oct. 16, 2014) http://msmagazine.com/blog/2010/11/29/male-mantis-need-not-pray-cannibal-female-myth-exposed/
FAQ
1. Is it true that female praying mantises decapitate their mates?
Yes, it is true. Female praying mantises are known for their cannibalistic behavior towards their mates, which often involves decapitation. This behavior has been observed in multiple species of praying mantises.
2. Why do female praying mantises decapitate their mates?
The exact reason why female praying mantises engage in this behavior is not fully understood. It is believed that it may be related to the female’s need for additional nutrients during the mating process, or it could be a way for the female to eliminate any potential competition for mating opportunities.
3. Do all female praying mantises decapitate their mates?
No, not all female praying mantises decapitate their mates. While this behavior is common in some species, it has not been observed in others. Additionally, some female praying mantises may engage in other forms of cannibalism towards their mates, such as eating the male’s legs or wings.
4. What happens to the male praying mantis after being decapitated?
After being decapitated, the male praying mantis will typically continue to mate with the female for a short period of time before eventually dying. The decapitation does not immediately kill the male, as their nervous system is distributed throughout their body rather than concentrated in their head.
5. Is there anything that males can do to avoid being decapitated by female praying mantises?
Male praying mantises have been known to engage in various behaviors in an attempt to avoid being decapitated by their mates. These behaviors can include avoiding larger females or attempting to mate with them in a way that reduces the risk of decapitation. However, these behaviors are not always successful, as the female may still choose to engage in cannibalistic behavior regardless.
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