Did you know that, just like mammals, insects like mantises clean themselves? Using their tiny mouths, mantises clean their limbs and antennae regularly. This grooming is surprisingly adorable when seen up close through a camera lens. This Instagram post by @bigbuggirl13 shows a mantis with big, beady eyes grooming itself. Read on to learn more about how and why they clean themselves.
Mantises clean themselves for very practical reasons, which are important for their health and survival. One of the most important reasons is to maintain their senses. Mantises rely on their antennae for various senses, such as detecting pheromones from predators and prey. By cleaning their antennae, they can keep their senses sharp. Grooming is also an important part of their overall cleanliness. They routinely clean their antennae, eyes, head, and legs. Cleaning themselves helps remove any parasites or bacteria from the outside of their bodies that could be deadly. This also helps remove any contaminants that could cause infection.
Mantises rely on their antennae for their senses.
©Lauren Suryanata/Shutterstock.com
Mantises groom themselves in a process that is simple yet thorough. Using their front legs, they bring their other body parts to their mouth. Their mouthparts include mandibles and palps, which are sensory appendages near the mouth. By bringing their antennae, legs, or other parts to their mouth, they lightly chew or wipe them to remove surface debris or residue. This is perfectly seen in the video linked above. The mantis appears almost cat-like while grooming. It carefully brings its legs and antennae to its mouthparts to clean them deliberately. Just as cats bring their limbs to their mouths, the mantis in the video is performing a similar action. While mantises—and insects in general—may not be considered the cutest creatures, it’s hard to deny the charm of a mantis cleaning itself. Not only is it cute, but it is also practical and essential for their survival in the wild.
