The Water Stick Insect, Ranatra dispar, is shown to be able to capture and hold a number of prey simultaneously. Capture of prey characteristically occurs in 3 distinct patterns (Type 1, 2 and 3), each characterized by a different number of prey caught. The time since last feeding by the predator has a significant effect on whether the predator will capture more than one prey. Once feeding starts, there is a critical period during which, if an encounter takes place, the predator will attempt to capture either a second or third prey. The critical period is longer, the higher the motivation level of the predator. It is suggested that this prey-capture behaviour potentially increases the size of a meal as groups of prey move past the stationary predator.