title: The predatory strike of free ranging praying mantises, Sphodromantis lineola (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 degrees 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 attach sequence. Based on our results, we hypothesize that mantises process visual and proprioceptive information indicating prey location in 'pterothorax-centered space'.
authors.affiliation: Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Prete
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Cleal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D009987:Orthoptera / Q000502:physiology*; D011235:Predatory Behavior / Q000502:physiology*