Correct Option
(C) Sexual cannibalism, where the female consumes the male after or sometimes during copulation, is a well-documented phenomenon in several spider species. A prominent example is the black widow spider (Latrodectus species), where the female often kills and eats the smaller male. This behavior is believed to provide the female with nutritional benefits, which can enhance egg production and offspring survival, and may also eliminate competition for resources.
Incorrect Options
A) Dragonfly
While some insects exhibit sexual cannibalism, it is not a characteristic behavior of dragonflies. Male dragonflies typically guard the female after copulation to prevent other males from mating with her, but the female does not kill the male.
B) Honeybee
Male honeybees (drones) die after mating with the queen, as their endophallus is ripped off during copulation, leading to fatal injury. However, this is a physiological consequence of the mating process rather than an active killing by the female queen bee. Drones also face expulsion from the hive during colder months, leading to their death.
D) Pit viper
Pit vipers are a type of venomous snake. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that female pit vipers kill their male counterparts after copulation. Sexual cannibalism is not a known reproductive strategy in snakes.