Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Ballet

Female praying mantises are famous for attacking and cannibalising their mates during or after a sexual encounter, but the evidence is emerging that some males attack too and that winning a fight is crucial for successful mating. Here when two praying mantis came close the left one showed it's aggregation by showing its wings.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2022
Date Uploaded: 11.2022
Photo Location: Singur, India
Camera: NIKON D850
Copyright: © Kallol Mukherjee