- Intriguing clip shows the praying mantis grabbing the bumble bee and killing it
- Mantids are known for being formidable predators and eating their own species
- Female mantids are famous for eating their male partners after or during mating
This is the moment a bumble bee met its sorry end at the hands of a merciless praying mantis.
Intriguing footage shows the creature launch towards the bee, clutching it between his claws.
Despite the bee’s desperate bid to escape as it flails its legs in the air, the mantis starts chowing down and ripping it to pieces.
The moment was captured by ‘Chicago Woodsman’, who describes himself as an ‘urban farmer and gentleman adventurer living in Chicago, Illinois’, U.S.A.
The praying mantis was given its name because of its prominent front legs, which are bent at an angle and look like the prayer position.
According to animal experts they are ‘formidable predators’ and feast on moths, crickets, grasshoppers and flies – as well as members of their own species.
Female praying mantids are known for eating their mates after, or even during the mating process.
They can grow up to six inches long and can turn their beady heads 180 degrees.
An intriguing video shows how a praying mantis catch a bumble bee and start eating it
The clip was posted online by ‘Chicago Woodsman’, an animal enthusiast based in Illinois, U.S.A.