Introduction

Background Information & Previous Literature Problem Statement & Hypothesis Experimental Procedure Analysis & Interpretation of Data Sources of Experimental Error Conclusions Applications & Further Research

Photograph courtesy of C. Younger

Praying Mantids Highly evolved insects

Mobile head Camouflaged

Generally ambush predators but can stalk prey

When threatened they enter a defensive stance with forelegs raised to their heads and curled abdomen

Undergo incomplete metamorphosis (i.e. molting)

Orchid Mantis

Chinese Praying Mantis

Spiny Flower Mantis

Ph

oto

gra

ph

co

urt

esy

of

Da

n L

ieb

erm

an

Ph

oto

gra

ph

co

urt

esy

of

Bo

b J

en

son

Photograph courtesy of theOhio Historical Society

Basic Anatomy

Tibi

a

Fem

ur

Ph

oto

gra

ph

s co

urt

esy

of

Okl

ah

om

a S

tate

Un

ive

rsity

Photograph courtesy ofThe Praying Mantids

Editor, F.R. PreteImage courtesy of EnchantedLearning.com

Mantid Vision

Binocular vision: the ability to produce a focused image of the same object simultaneously on the retinas of both eyes Perception of distance 3-d vision

Compound Eye Immovable Ommatidia: numerous light

receptive cells Outer cuticle Retinal Cells Rhabdom

Acute Zone: central portion of eye where vision is most keen; also called the visual fovea P

ho

tog

rap

h c

ou

rte

sy o

f T

he

Pra

yin

g M

an

tids;

Ed

itor,

F.R

. P

rete

Rhabdom

Cuticle Forward Looking

Acute ZoneCrystalline Cone

Corneal Lens

Photograph courtesy of The Praying Mantids; Editor, F.R. Prete

Image courtesy of BioMEDIA ASSOCIATES

Predatory Behavior

Prey capture sequence Visual recognition Head saccades Peering movements Strike Lunge

Depends on… Prey size Prey speed Prey orientation Prey contrast with the

backgroundPhotograph courtesy of The Praying Mantids; Editor, F.R. Prete

Experimental Design

2 boxes (9 x 6.25 x 5.5 inches) 1 with an all black background on 5 sides 1 with an all white background on 5 sides

Step 1 Introduce mantid Allow 20 minutes for acclimation

Anesthetize 5 fruit flies Place in refrigerator (40 °F) for 20 minutes

Step 2 Introduce 5 wingless fruit flies

Through a funnel inserted in the “x” shaped incision in the center of the netting

Step 3 Record time it takes for mantid to catch 1 fruit fly with a stopwatch Start of timing: introduction of all 5 flies End of timing: first successful prey capture or if no capture

had occurred after 10 minutes

Step 4

Thank You!

“One of the contributors to this book quipped in an e-mail message that ‘rearing mantises has to be one of the most frustrating jobs – at least sometimes.’ He was right.”

– Fredrick Prete, coeditor of The Praying Mantids Are there any

questions?

Ph

oto

gra

ph

co

urt

esy

of

Arle

ne

Rip

ley