The fishing mantid: predation on fish as a new adaptive strategy for praying mantids (Insecta: Mantodea)

2018/09/20 by Roberto Battiston, Rajesh Puttaswamaiah, Nayak Manjunath · 1 voice
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Neuroscience · #Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior #Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research #Plant and animal studies

paper · pdf · doi:10.3897/jor.27.28067

openalex publication_date 2018/09/20 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31

Abstract

Observations in unmanipulated, semi-natural conditions were made of a single individual of the praying mantid Hierodulatenuidentata , while hunting and capturing an unusual prey for this kind of insect, guppy fish, Poeciliareticulata . This repetitive fishing behavior, recorded daily, is reported here for the first time and discussed in relation to the adaptive behavioral plasticity of praying mantids. We speculate regarding learning from experience as a hunting strategy.

Citations

• Pollinator Deception in the Orchid Mantis

Discussions

• #OrthopteraR: The fishing mantid: predation on fish as a new adaptive strategy for praying mantids (Insecta: Mantodea) https://doi.org/10.3897/jor.27.28067 [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]

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