A Praying Mantis' Role in the Food Chain

Question:

A praying mantis catches and eats a moth. Which of the following terms best describes the praying mantis?

Answer:

D. Consumer, carnivore, predator

Explanation:

Consumer: Within an ecological food chain, consumers are categorized into three groups: primary consumers, secondary consumers, and tertiary consumers. Primary consumers are usually herbivores, feeding on plants and fungus. The praying mantis, being a carnivorous insect that preys on other animals like moths, falls under the category of consumers.

Carnivore: A carnivore is an organism that mostly eats meat or the flesh of other animals. The praying mantis, by feeding on moths, exhibits carnivorous behavior, making it a carnivore in the food chain.

Predator: Predators are part of the food chain, playing a crucial role in passing energy from one organism to the next. In this case, the praying mantis preying on a moth showcases its role as a predator. Predators that eat primary consumers, like the praying mantis consuming the moth, are considered secondary consumers in the food chain.

The praying mantis, by consuming other animals, fulfills the roles of a consumer, carnivore, and predator in the ecosystem. These roles are interconnected within the food chain, with each layer of consumers playing a vital part in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.