Raptorial Strikes Investigated Using Original Software Dustin Smith Faculty mentor: James Vance University of Virginia’s College at Wise
The focus of this project is to model the predatory strikes of the Chinese mantis Tenodera sinensis, and to observe any measurable competitive advantages that this invasive species may have over the native Carolina praying mantis Stagmomantis carolina. In addition, dissections of the raptorial forelegs of observed mantises were performed to obtain the accelerating forces of the predatory strikes. The praying mantises were observed using a highspeed camera. The videos were analyzed using personal image processing software written in MATLAB using the Computer Vision toolbox that obtains two-dimensional projections of the kinematics of the foreleg segments to produce complete models of the strikes. This research is ongoing, and measurable differences have been observed in the Chinese mantises Tenodera sinensis with the males exhibiting accelerations up to four times that of the females.
Dusting Smith is from Big Stone Gap and recently earned a bachelor's degree in Biology. Smith is currently pursuing a teaching certification and plans to become a biology teacher.
