The ferret is right. Mantis vs hornet was one of the more predictable matches, IMO. The only option the mantis has is to grab the hornet securely between two segments and rip it open. As soon as it tries to do that, it's within easy range for the hornet to start stinging it to death. Even if it could somehow manage to keep the stinger away (unlikely, with the hornet's extreme flexibility) it would be within the hornet's power to slice its limbs of with its jaws (see the infamous hornets vs bees video). Then you've got to consider that the mantis has that HUGE abdomen without much chance to defend it if the hornet decides to attack from behind or above.
That was weird but somehow sad, I dislike seeing anything, even something as stupid and ugly as an insect being put to death for entertainment.
all I could ask myself while watching these was why the HELL am I watchign this and why can't I look away. I HATE bugs. HATE
As an entomologist, I came across this sort of entertainment almost a decade ago. The most common I have heard was the beetle versus beetle type of matches. The one I saw on the video clip pits a forest scorpion and major male stag beetle. It is pretty much a given the beetle would win. The scorpion cannot penetrate 95% of the beetle due to its tough armor and its tail cannot reach the beetle's head to deliver a sting near the base of the mandables.
Camel spiders are pure win and I think he has chance as long as its not the hornet..The hornet pwns all in his wake!!!!
So then that retracts your original statement of feelings sorry for the bugs if you wanted the mantis to win. You bet your ass they were sweet!
They need to toss in on of those African ants that kills everything in their path. Gawd those things are violent.
That Nornet thing was friggin nuts. I was also confused as to how easily the mantis got pwned by the, I have no idea what it was.