Mating Behavior of Praying Mantises

Praying mantises are named for their posture but are fierce predators. A male mantis approaches a female, unaware of the danger. The female, driven by hunger or rejection, begins to eat him. Despite losing his head, the male continues to mate due to nerve cells in his abdomen. This illustrates the unfeeling nature of the arthropod world.

Why are praying mantises named as such?

• Due to their prayer-like posture

• Because they are peaceful creatures

• Due to their gentle nature

• Because they live in religious places

What is the male mantis unaware of as he approaches the female?

• The female's mating call

• The presence of other males

• The potential danger he faces

• The female's hunger

What might drive the female mantis to eat the male?

• Her desire to lay eggs

• Her hunger or rejection of the male

• Her need to protect her territory

• Her instinct to build a nest

What happens to the male mantis after the female begins to eat him?

• He continues to mate despite being eaten

• He fights back and injures the female

• He escapes and finds another mate

• He dies immediately

What does the female remove from the male mantis?

• His legs

• His wings

• His head

• His abdomen

What controls the male mantis' mating actions after losing his head?

• His wings

• His brain

• His abdomen's nerve cells

• His legs

What does the male mantis' death symbolize?

• The beauty of nature

• The harshness of the arthropod world

• The intelligence of insects

• The strength of the female mantis