Which insect is known for eating its mate after mating?

Which insect is known for eating its mate after mating?

• A. Dung beetle
• B. Praying mantis
• C. Ladybug
• D. Antlion

Answer: (B)

Sexual cannibalism is a mating behavior where the female consumes the male during or after copulation. The praying mantis is the classic example of this phenomenon. In some mantis species, the female may eat the male to gain nutrients that can help her produce more eggs, and mating can still occur before or even during the consumption. This behavior is not universal across insects, and many mantis matings happen without cannibalism depending on hunger, relative size, and environmental conditions. The other insects listed do not have this well-known post-mating cannibalism pattern, so the praying mantis best fits the scenario.

Sexual cannibalism is a mating behavior where the female consumes the male during or after copulation. The praying mantis is the classic example of this phenomenon. In some mantis species, the female may eat the male to gain nutrients that can help her produce more eggs, and mating can still occur before or even during the consumption. This behavior is not universal across insects, and many mantis matings happen without cannibalism depending on hunger, relative size, and environmental conditions. The other insects listed do not have this well-known post-mating cannibalism pattern, so the praying mantis best fits the scenario.