How Mantises Became Nature’s Strangest Assassins

Mantises may be some of the most out-of-this-world-looking critters on Earth, but they’re uniquely adapted to life on this planet. These incredible hunters have repeatedly evolved into “ecomorphs”—groups that aren’t closely related, but share amazing adaptations to similar habitats. Mantis expert and grad student Lohit Garikipati says this happens so consistently in their history that “it’s almost baffling.” These dazzling displays of convergence may have something to tell us about evolution…

Our host, entomologist Jessica Ware, Ph.D., visits Lohit at the Towson University Mantis Lab to see how researchers are using high-speed infrared cameras to track the movements of mantis prey capture. The similarities (and differences) in hunting techniques can help reveal how environments shape the animals that live in them.

#mantis #evolution #ecomorph #ethology

Image: Stagmomantis sp., © Lohit Garikipati

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[noahgettle]

As an evolutionary biologist and bioinformatician, I love Lohit's take on the importance of capturing the behavioral data in addition to the genomic data. As easy as it is to get (relatively speaking), genomics do not always tell us about the most important, complicated, and/or fascinating things about a given organism. Keep up the great work!

[IcyDaTruth]

I've raised about 10 different species. Adding a small air current, even just blowing breath on them, made the mantids more willing to strike prey as it allowed them to mimic the movement of a swaying object and hide their strike and/or movement toward the prey.

[thechickenwizard]

I've got so much information on bugs packed ibto my brain that it's rare when i learn something new; this video taught me 2 brand new things!

1, some mantids actually guard their eggs and young, and 2, some species engage in 'mating dances'.

That's absolutley incredible, I had no clue they could be so behaviorally complex! thanks for making such an awesome episode!!

[emilygentry]

So cool to see Lohit on this vid after hearing his interview on Ologies. Keep up the great work Lohit!

[qwertyuiopst]

I get the impression that Mantis prey tends to not yet be dead when the Mantis starts eating.

[SunraeSkatimunggr]

I used to keep them as pets when I was a kid. You can see them watch you and their prey.

[rockys]

I caught a mantis when I was a kid and watched it while we fed it all kinds of bugs. These things are bad ass eating machines. It didn't care that two weird kids were staring at it the whole time but it didn't waste any time grabbing and eating everything we put in the bug bottle.

[DarkPesco]

That was fun. I was a little ticked when it was obviously the end and you hadn't talked about the assassination of the mate... thought for a split second that you were leaving it out. But ultimately you did not disappoint! Thank you!

[merlapittman]

This is an excellent video! Mantises have always been fascinating to me. Once I found out how diverse they are and that there are so many different species, I liked them more and more!

[dmdcykey]

Been my favorite insect on earth since I was a kid; they used to hop into my bedroom window and sit in front of the ant farm glass like they were watching a movie, after a few hours they would turn and hop back out the window as I was going to sleep. They did this throughout my childhood so I've always been curious if they somehow communicate locations to each other like ants, because there were dozens over the years that did that same thing.

[westerntanager]

The prey items don't see them coming. This is fascinating!

[ronkirk]

Nature never ceases to amaze. We are really doing a disservice to future generations by not doing more to protect species from extinction.

[jonathonalsum]

Poking the algo! Love these little Earthlings.

[FaithfulObjectivist]

Big fan of Dr. Ware. Hope to see more. Thanks!

[robbabcock_]

Mantises and Dragonflies are both so amazing!

[TragoudistrosMPH]

Human: Mr. Mantis, would you rather meet a female or a chameleon in the woods?
Male Mantis: 🥵

[notashroom]

Once when I was moving house with my partner and kids to a new place maybe 150 miles away, a mantis decided to make the move with us. She perched on the spare tire on the back of the vehicle and could have gotten off at several points when we were at a stop within easy reach of vegetation, but she stayed the whole way. The loyal mantis.

[agresticumbra]

One of my fav nonhumans. I have mantis brooches as well.🖤

[PabloVasquesBravoVillalba]

Dr. Jessica's enthusiasm is infectious. Btw, I loved the video

[snowballeffect]

There's a theory that small insects did not evolve to sense pain since their lives are so short and they usually reproduce so prolifically that it would serve no purpose. I hope that's true for all these prey targets that start getting eaten alive face-first lol.