Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Visual stimuli that elicit appetitive behaviors in three morphologically distinct species of praying mantis

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Comparative Physiology A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We assessed the differences in appetitive responses to visual stimuli by three species of praying mantis (Insecta: Mantodea), Tenodera aridifolia sinensis, Mantis religiosa, and Cilnia humeralis. Tethered, adult females watched computer generated stimuli (erratically moving disks or linearly moving rectangles) that varied along predetermined parameters. Three responses were scored: tracking, approaching, and striking. Threshold stimulus size (diameter) for tracking and striking at disks ranged from 3.5 deg (C. humeralis) to 7.8 deg (M. religiosa), and from 3.3 deg (C. humeralis) to 11.7 deg (M. religiosa), respectively. Unlike the other species which struck at disks as large as 44 deg, T. a. sinensis displayed a preference for 14 deg disks. Disks moving at 143 deg/s were preferred by all species. M. religiosa exhibited the most approaching behavior, and with T. a. sinensis distinguished between rectangular stimuli moving parallel versus perpendicular to their long axes. C. humeralis did not make this distinction. Stimulus sizes that elicited the target behaviors were not related to mantis size. However, differences in compound eye morphology may be related to species differences: C. humeralis’ eyes are farthest apart, and it has an apparently narrower binocular visual field which may affect retinal inputs to movement-sensitive visual interneurons.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bartley JA (1983) Prey selection and capture by the Chinese mantid (Tenodera sinensis, Saussure). Dissertation, University of Delaware, Newark

  • Berger FA (1985) Morphologie und physiologie einiger visueller interneuronen in den optischen ganglien der gottesanbeterin Mantis religiosa. Dissertation, Universität Düsseldorf

  • Bowdish TI, Bultman TL (1993) Visual cues used by mantids in learning aversion to aposematically colored prey. Am Midl Nat 129:215–222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burmeister H (1838) Handbuch der entomologie. fangschrechen, mantodea, vol. 2(5–8). Berlin

  • Cleal K, Prete FR (1996) The predatory strike of free ranging praying mantises, Sphodromantis lineola (Burr) II: strikes in the horizontal plane. Brain Behav Evol 48:191–204

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Conover WJ (1980) Practical nonparametric statistics. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Dale S (2005) Praying mantis preying on vertebrates. West Aust Nat 24:247–249

    Google Scholar 

  • Darmaillacq A-S, Chichery R, Poirier R, Dickel L (2004) Effect of early feeding experience on subsequent prey preference by cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis. Dev Psychobiol 45:239–244

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Edmunds M, Brunner D (1999) Ethology of defensives against predators. In: Prete FR, Wells H, Wells P, Hurd LE (eds) The praying mantids. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, pp 276–299

    Google Scholar 

  • Eggenreich U, Kral K (1990) External design and field of view of the compound eyes in a raptorial neuropteran insect, Mantispa styriaca. J Exp Biol 148:353–365

    Google Scholar 

  • Ewert J-P, Burghagen H, Schürg-Pfeiffer E (1983) Neuroethological analysis of the innate releasing mechanism for prey-catching behavior in toads. In: Ewert J-P, Capranica RR, Ingle DJ (eds) Advances in vertebrate neuroethology. Plenum Press, New York, pp 413–475

    Google Scholar 

  • Ewert J-P (2004) Motion perception shapes the visual world of amphibians. In: Prete FR (ed) Complex worlds from simpler nervous systems. MIT, Cambridge, pp 117–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Fagan WF, Hurd LE (1994) Hatch density variation of a generalist arthropod predator: population consequences and community impact. Ecology 75:2022–2032

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaillard F, Arbib MA, Corbacho FJ, Lee HB (1998) Modeling the physiological responses of anuran R3 ganglion cells. Vis Res 38:2551–2568

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Geischeider GA (1997) Psychophysics: the fundamentals. Lawrence Erlbaum, Mahwah

    Google Scholar 

  • Gonka MD, Laurie TJ, Prete FR (1999) Responses of movement sensitive descending visual interneurons to prey-like stimuli in the praying mantis, Sphodromantis lineola (Burmeister). Brain Behav Evol 54:243–262

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holling CS (1976) Predator size and prey size presumed relationship in the mantid Hierodula coarctata. Can J Zool 54:1760–1764

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hurd LE, Eisenberg RM (1990) Arthropod community responses to manipulation of a bitrophic predator guild. Ecology 76:2107–2114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hurd LE, Eisenberg RM, Fagan WF et al (1994) Cannibalism reverses male-biased sex ratio in adult mantids: female strategy against food limitation? Oikos 69:193–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hurd LE (1999) Ecology of praying mantids. In: Prete FR, Wells H, Wells PH, Hurd LE (eds) The praying mantids. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, pp 43–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingle DJ (1983) Brain mechanisms of visual localization by frogs and toads. In: Ewert JP, Capranica RR, Ingle DJ (eds) Advances in vertebrate neuroethology. Plenum, New York, pp 177–226

    Google Scholar 

  • Julesz B (1971) Foundations of cyclopean perception. The University of Chicago Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaltenpoth M (2005) Life history and morphometry of the Chinese praying mantis, Tenodera aridifolia sinensis (Blattopteroidea:Mantodea). Entomol Generalis 28:1–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Kral K, Prete FR (2004) In the mind of a hunter: the visual world of the praying mantis. In: Prete FR (ed) Complex worlds from simpler nervous systems. MIT, Cambridge, pp 75–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Liske E (1999) The hierarchical organization of mantid behavior. In: Prete FR, Wells H, Wells P, Hurd LE (eds) The praying mantids. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, pp 224–250

    Google Scholar 

  • Linnaeus C (1758) Systema naturae vol. 1, 10th edn. Salvii, Holmiae

    Google Scholar 

  • Liske E, Köchy K, Wolff H-G (1999) Ontogeny of defensive behaviors. In: Prete FR, Wells H, Wells P, Hurd LE (eds) The praying mantids. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, pp 253–275

    Google Scholar 

  • Moran MD, Hurd LE (1994) Environmentally determined male-biased sex ratio in a praying mantid. Am Midl Nat 132:205–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nickle DA (1981) Predation on a mouse by the Chinese Mantid, Tenodera aridifolia sinensis, Saussure (Dictyoptera: Mantoidea). Proc Ent Soc Wash 83:802–803

    Google Scholar 

  • Poteser M, Kral K (1995) Visual distance discrimination between stationary targets in praying mantis: an index of the use of motion parallax. J Exp Biol 198:2127–2137

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Poteser M, Pabst MA, Kral K (1998) Proprioceptive contribution to distance estimation by motion parallax in a praying mantid. J Exp Biol 201:1483–1491

    Google Scholar 

  • Prete FR, Lum H, Grossman SP (1992) Non-predatory ingestive behaviors of the praying mantis Sphodromantis lineola (Burr). Brain Behav Evol 39:124–132

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prete FR (1992) The effects of background pattern and contrast on prey discrimination by the praying mantis Sphodromantis lineola (Burr). Brain Behav Evol 40:311–320

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prete FR, Wolfe MM (1992) Religious supplicant, seductive cannibal, or reflex machine? In search of the praying mantis. J Hist Biol 25:91–136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prete FR (1993) Stimulus direction and retinal image location affect appetitive responses to computer generated stimuli by the praying mantis Sphodromantis lineola (Burr). Vis Neurosci 10:997–1005

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prete FR, Mahaffey RJ (1993a) Appetitive responses to computer generated visual stimuli by the praying mantis Sphodromantis lineola (Burr). Vis Neurosci 10:669–679

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prete FR, Mahaffey RJ (1993b) A chamber for mass hatching and early rearing of praying mantidsmantises (Orthoptera:Mantisae). Entomol News 104:47–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Prete FR, Placek PJ, Wilson MA, Mahaffey RJ, Nemcek RR (1993) The effects of stimulus speed and order of presentation on the discrimination of visual stimuli representing prey by the praying mantis Sphodromantis lineola (Burr). Brain Behav Evol 42:281–294

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prete FR, Cleal K (1996) The predatory strike of free ranging praying mantises, Sphodromantis lineola (Burr) I: strikes in the midsagittal plane. Brain Behav Evol 48:173–190

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prete FR, McLean T (1996) Responses to moving small-field stimuli by the praying mantis, Sphodromantis lineola (Burr). Brain Behav Evol 47:52–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prete FR (1999a) Prey recognition. In: Prete FR, Wells H, Wells P, Hurd LE (eds) The praying mantids. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, pp 141–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Prete FR (1999b) Rearing techniques, developmental time, and life span data for lab-reared Sphodromantis lineola. In: Prete FR, Wells H, Wells P, Hurd LE (eds) The praying mantids. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, pp 303–310

    Google Scholar 

  • Prete FR, Hurd LE, Branstrator D, Johnson A (2002) Responses to computer generated visual stimuli by the male praying mantis, Sphodromantis lineola (Burmeister). Anim Behav 63:503–510

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prete FR (ed) (2004) Complex worlds from simpler nervous systems. MIT, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Ridpath MG (1977) Predation on frogs and small birds by Hierodula werneri (GT) (Mantidae) in tropical Australia. J Aust Entomol Soc 16:153–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rossel S (1979) Regional differences in photoreceptor performance in the eye of the praying mantis. J Comp Physiol 131:95–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rossel S (1980) Foveal fixation and tracking in the praying mantis Tenodera-australasiae. J Comp Physiol A 139:307–332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rossel S, Mathis U, Collett T (1992) Vertical disparity and binocular vision in the praying mantis. Vis Neurosci 8:165–170

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roth G (1987) Visual behavior in salamanders. Springer, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Saussure H (1871) Melanges orthopterologiques—IV mantides. Mémoires de la societe de physique et d’histoire naturelle de Genève 21:1–214

    Google Scholar 

  • Svenson GJ, Whiting MF (2004) Phylogeny of Mantodea based on molecular data: evolution of a charismatic predator. Sys Entomol 29:359–370

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Svenson GJ, Whiting MF (2009) Reconstructing the origins of praying mantises (Dictyoptera, Mantodea): the roles of Gondwanan vicariance and morphological convergence. Cladistics 25:468–514

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yamawaki Y (2000) Saccadic tracking of a light grey target in the mantis, Tenodera aridifolia. J Insect Physiol 46:203–210

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yamawaki Y, Toh Y (2003) Response properties of visual interneurons to motion stimuli in the praying mantis, Tenodera aridifolia. Zool Sci (Tokyo) 20:819–832

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamawaki Y (2006) Investigating saccade programming in the praying mantis Tenodera aridifolia using distracter interference paradigms. J Insect Physiol 52:1062–1072

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yamawaki Y, Toh Y (2009) A descending contralateral directionally selective movement detector in the praying mantis Tenodera aridifolia. J Comp Physiol A 195:1131–1139

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank the Department of Biology and the NEIU Student Center for Science Engagement, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Education (CCRAA HSI P031C080027) for their support. In particular, we acknowledge the collegial help and advice that we received from Dr. Marcelo Sztainberg, Dr. Stephanie Levi, and Marilyn Saavedra-Leyva. We are also grateful to the journal editor and anonymous referees for their thoughtful comments and suggestions all of which improved the quality of the manuscript, and to Christine Baldwin for her help in copyediting. In all cases, the experimental animals were treated with the appropriate concerns and we operated in accordance within all applicable ethical and animal care guidelines. This work was supported by an SCSE Summer Research Opportunities Grant from NEIU.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Northeastern Illinois University, 5500 N. St. Louis Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625, USA

    Frederick R. Prete, Justin L. Komito, Salina Dominguez, LeoLin Y. López, Alex Guillen & Nicole Bogdanivich

  2. Department of Biology, Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, 167 Castetter Hall, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA

    Gavin Svenson

Authors
  1. Frederick R. Prete
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Justin L. Komito
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Salina Dominguez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Gavin Svenson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. LeoLin Y. López
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Alex Guillen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Nicole Bogdanivich
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Frederick R. Prete.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Prete, F.R., Komito, J.L., Dominguez, S. et al. Visual stimuli that elicit appetitive behaviors in three morphologically distinct species of praying mantis. J Comp Physiol A 197, 877–894 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-011-0649-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-011-0649-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation