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

Abstract

The predatory behavior of free ranging praying mantises, Sphodromantis lineola (Burmeister), in response to prey at various positions in the horizontal plane was examined using high speed (200 frames per second) videography: We found that the movements of the meso- and metathoracic legs over the course of the strike were analogous in many respects to those made by the cockroach Periplaneta americana during escape turns. When mantises struck at prey directly ahead of them, they were propelled forward by extensions of the metathoracic femur-tibia, and the meso- and metathoracic coxa-femur joints (changes in the latter were determined indirectly via changes in the femur-pterothorax angles). This pattern of movements is similar to that of cockroach Type 1 turns. However, when prey lay to either side of the pterothorax-abdomen axis, mantises turned toward the prey as they stuck. These turning movements were the result, primarily, of changes in the femur-thorax angles. Specifically, as the mantises turned toward the prey, contralateral mesothoracic femora and metathoracic tibiae and femora extended, and the corresponding ipsilateral joints extended to a lesser degree or flexed. This pattern of movements is similar to that of cockroach Type 2 turns. In addition, these leg movements were accompanied by flexion of the prothorax-abdomen angle which turned the prothorax even further in the direction of the prey. We found a stronger relationship between mantis leg movements and the position of the prey in relationship to the pterothorax than between the leg movements and the position of the prey in the visual field. Our data suggest that the praying mantis'' central nervous system integrates proprioceptive and visual information in order to determine the location of prey in ''pterothorax-centered’ rather than ''head-centered'' space.

Responses of Movement-Sensitive Visual Interneurons to Prey-Like Stimuli in the Praying Mantis Sphodromantis lineola (Burmeister)

“…However, in any particular event the sequence might be head orient-track-stalk-lunge-strike, or track-adjust posture-lunge-strike, or track-strike, or simply strike if the prey moves close to the mantid. On the other hand, if prey is moving away, the sequence might be prothorax orient-track-track-chase-stalk-track-stalk-lungestrike(miss)-stalk-adjust posture-strike(capture) Cleal and Prete, 1996;Prete and Cleal, 1996]. We imagine the putative DCMD-like cells playing their key role only in initiating the strike component in such sequences.…”

“…This means that by itself the position of prey within the visual field does not necessarily indicate its position in relationship to the prothoracic legs which must grasp the prey, or the pterothoracic legs which must direct the lunge (if one occurs). In fact, kinematic analyses have revealed that mantids locate and strike at prey within a large three-dimensional area that requires them to modulate both the reach of the striking prothoracic legs, and the direction and distance spanned by the lunge Cleal and Prete, 1996;Prete and Cleal, 1996;Prete and Hamilton, 1999]. Therefore, prey position in the visual field at the beginning of the strike is meaningful only to the extent that the visual information is integrated with proprioceptive information indicating the relative positions of the head and prothorax.…”

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.…”

Decision‐making and motor control in predatory insects: a review of the praying mantis

“…During a lunge, the movement of the mid‐ and hind legs propel the mantis body in the direction of the prey. The amplitude and direction of both strikes and lunges are adjusted depending on the three‐dimensional position of the prey (Copeland & Carlson, ; Corrette, ; Cleal & Prete, ; Prete & Cleal, ; Oufiero et al ., ). These movements allow for a wide catching range.…”