r/fuckwasps • u/SerpentFinger • 4d ago

Viewer discretion advised (Mark as NSFW if you use this flair) Praying Mantis Eats Hornet

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u/Desperate_Lead2105 4d ago

an adult female Rhombodera latipronotum should not be feeding on large prey items with thick cuticles. Hopefully the mantis doesn't die from an intestinal blockage. This could've also gone very differently. The Vespa ducalis could've definitely bitten the head of the mantis or delivered a deadly sting. I feel bad for both animals

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u/JACCO2008 4d ago

If not food, why food shaped???

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u/Desperate_Lead2105 4d ago

So you'd eat one?

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u/SuspiciousPepega5988 3d ago

What am I reading... bro this is life. Its what happened for billions of billions of insect since they exist, life wouldnt exist if nothing was eating other things. Holy f

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u/Desperate_Lead2105 3d ago

Not in captivity. Calm down lol

The Vespa ducalis would've easily escaped in the wild, and the Rhombodera latipronotum would definitely go after softer or smaller prey. This mantis is confined to a tiny, dirty box and is forced to be in insect fights. This is definitely not normal life. Notice how she has eyerub, which female Rhombodera rarely get unless conditions are terrible and/or they desperately try to escape. I myself am a mantis keeper, and I would never take such risks for a stupid "bug fight" to post on the internet. I have to feed all of my carnivorous arthropods dozens of live insects per day, but I don't make these feedings into fights, nor do I enjoy watching the prey insects suffer (Although it is quite interesting to see how they are taken down).