We’ve all heard stories about the tendency of the female praying mantis to bite the head off the male after mating, right? Well, that’s a gross exaggeration, and unfair to the species. In point of fact, the female bites off the head before mating, which, according to this article, spurs the guy on.
Hard to believe, huh? Yeah, that’s what I thought until I spotted an oddly constructed insect on our crape myrtle at lunch today. Click on the small photos to see the gory details.
I’m sure there’s a cautionary tale here, somewhere, but I’m trying really hard not to think about it.
!!!!!!! I’m speechless.. I have to say that that is an amazing picture you took. It’s so horrifying I can’t take my eyes off it…
Yeah, Nature’s sometimes a cruel, um, mistress. 😉
I was going to make a comment about my ex-wife, but……nahhhhhh! Just wouldn’t be prudent. Old, old history.
Outstanding shots Eric.
You are a wise man, John, knowing when to let go.
Unlike certain praying mantises we know (RIP).
Wow! Looks like she took more than just his head. That is unbelievable!! Good work! Hard to imagine this is what God intended. 🙂
I’m having enough trouble dealing with the physical implications of this, never mind the theological ones! 😉