The Predatory Strike of Free Ranging Praying Mantises, <i>Sphodromantis lineola </i>(Burmeister). I: Strikes in the Mid-Sagittal Plane

Abstract

The predatory behavior of free ranging praying mantises, Sphodromantis lineola (Burmeister), in response to prey at various positions in the midsagittal plane, was examined using high speed (200 frames per second) videography. Predatory strikes fell neatly into two categories based on the elevation of the prey from the surface on which the mantises stood: high strikes and low strikes. When the prey was 35° or more above the surface (measured from the mesothoracic tarsus), mantises assumed a posture that elevated and pointed the body upwards (high strikes). When prey was near or below the surface on which the mantises stood, they assumed a posture that lowered the body and shifted its center of gravity forward (low strikes). Each of these two initial postures was followed by distinctly different constellations of movements, which included a rapid grasping movement of the raptorial forelegs and, if the prey was sufficiently distant, a displacement of the body upwards (high strikes) or forwards (low strikes). Our analyses suggest that prothoracic angle and, to a lesser degree, head angle and the degree to which the mesothoracic legs are extended provide the critical proprioceptive cues used in programming the appropriate attack sequence. Based on our results, we hypothesize that mantises process visual and proprioceptive information indicating prey location in ''pterothorax-centered space''.

Patterns of variation in feeding strike kinematics of juvenile ghost praying mantis (Phyllocrania paradoxa): are components of the strike stereotypic?

“…The juvenile mantises used in this study had kinematic patterns of movement similar to those found in previous studies on adults (Corrette, 1990;Prete and Cleal, 1996). In short, the strike was initiated after the mantises targeted the prey item, and began with extension of the coxa and the tibia, holding the femur relatively stationary ( Fig.…”

“…Many praying mantises are ambush predators and rely on camouflage to quickly capture unsuspecting prey (Svenson and Whiting, 2009). The forelegs of praying mantises comprise three main segments, the coxa, the trochanter-femur and the tibia, which move in a coordinated fashion to capture prey (Copeland and Carlson, 1979;Corrette, 1990;Iwasaki, 1991;Maldonado et al, 1967;Prete and Cleal, 1996;Prete et al, 1990). On the tip of the tibia is a tarsus that is used when walking, but folds back during feeding (Corrette, 1990).…”

“…Last, we examine whether the approach sets up the predator to be in position to strike or whether strikes are modulated during the sweep, by examining the relationship between prey position and the angles of the joints at the end of the approach and maximum angles (Corrette, 1990). In addition to these specific hypotheses, we also explore other relationships to determine which components of the feeding strike may be modulated based on prey position, such as the amount of lunge used during the strike, which has been suggested as not being stereotypic (Prete and Cleal, 1996), compared with the amount of foreleg used to capture the prey.…”

Circadian rhythms affect the electroretinogram, compound eye color, striking behavior, and locomotion of the praying mantis,Hierodula patellifera(Serville)

“…The former was defined as any head or prothoracic movements that followed the stimulus; the latter was defined as the characteristic, rapid, forward directed grasping movement of the raptorial forelegs (Prete and Cleal, 1996). Tracking was considered a binomial event; the mantis either tracked a stimulus during a trial or it did not (max.…”

Response Properties of Visual Interneurons to Motion Stimuli in the Praying Mantis, Tenodera aridifolia

“…If the prey is sufficiently close, they strike it with rapid grasping movements of forelegs. The strike is occasionally accompanied with a displacement of the body, called lunge (Copeland and Carlson, 1979;Corrette, 1990;Prete and Cleal, 1996;Cleal and Prete, 1996). During these events, the mantis' central nervous system (CNS) extracts spatial characteristics about the prey (e.g.…”