Ms or Mr?

This praying mantis in the greenhouse has always been shy and retiring, preferring to perch behind leaves or vines. Because of the fat tummy I assumed it to be a female. However, yesterday it climbed a twig and let me see its underside. It is exactly the same as the male’s. There is a dead female in my insect specimen tray and it is noticeably different.

It never occurred to me that he could be a male. Males, the experts tell us, have shorter lifespans than the females. Apparently not, when they are in an environment where they can stuff themselves, and catch all they want without much effort.  So now there are two males in the greenhouse, the females chose to leave.