[Fantasywriter]

The one about the praying mantis isn’t quite accurate.

‘PREYING MANTIS SEX CANNIBALISM IS MUCH LESS COMMON IN THE WILD

Once scientists started observing praying mantis sex in a natural setting, the story had a different ending, which is good for the males. When unconfined in laboratory terrariums, the majority of praying mantis mating ends with the male flying off, unharmed. By most estimates, sexual cannibalism by praying mantis females occurs less than 30% of the time outside the lab. Those are pretty good odds for the fellows. Praying mantis sex, it turns out, is really a rather romantic series of courtship rituals that typically ends satisfactorily and safely for both parties involved.

ADVANTAGES OF BEHEADING YOUR MATE AFTER SEX

There is a decided advantage for the female, however, if she does decide to behead her lover. The praying mantis brain, located in his head, controls inhibition, while a ganglion in the abdomen controls the motions of copulation. Absent his head, a male praying mantis will lose all his inhibitions and consummate his relationship with wild abandon.’

https://www.thoughtco.com/praying-mantis-sex-and-male-cannibalism-1968472

[Chickensoup]

3 out of 10 chance of losing your head.

Now that’s romantic.

Guys?

[RegulatorCountry]

Adds a whole new macabre level to the phrase giving head.

[CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC]

There's also a predatory species of firefly that's larger & more aggressive than other fireflies. The female can mimic the species-specific flashing patterns of females of many other species.

When she sees a male of another species nearby who's "looking for love," she'll answer with the flashing pattern of the female of his species. He lands next to her, thinking he's going to copulate, only to be eaten instead.

Hmm... just how many other species are there out there with this pattern of Life & Death & Sex? Praying mantii ... fireflies ... humans ....