Life of Bugs

I was going to leave this one alone. It's almost too easy. But I can't. Praying mantis girls eat praying mantis boys after they have their way with them. In the NYT, you can read this article today.

Scientists the world over have apparently been arguing for ages over the dynamics, and biology behind this behaviour. They all agree it happens, but when it comes to understanding why, they all sound like a bunch of men trying to understand, well, women.

They're not sure if the female mates and then eats in some biological process, or if she mates because she's hungry. Kind of like putting out after getting him to buy dinner, I guess. Some scientists also accuse the females of emitting a fake sex pheromone to attract dumb guys into her trap because she just wants a meal. The insect equivalent of a push-up bra, I'm thinking.

Listening to the arguments put forth by some of the white lab coat set, I'm wondering if some of them aren't projecting a little. Maybe they're thinking of all the meals they've bought and not seen a decent return on.

I'd say any male, of any species, that starts mating and then willingly leaps on the fangs of his partner in order to die pretty much deserves it.

One thing I'll say for these bug ladies: They have set the bar to the highest level. There is a whole operatic life-and-death struggle going on here, just to get a little nookie. Maybe I should rethink my own demands.

I mean, lunch would be nice.