Rick, 80% success rate is astonomical for a predator. If you look at large ones, like big cats for example, their success rate is around 30% or 40% or lower.
Actually, I'm sorry, I don't think it's because of hunger, because a mantid doesn't act lazy, but I do agree with size. Flies are just harder to catch, when flying, at least. I've noticed that every single one of my mantids have had a 100% success rate on food that walks around. (Crickets) My European female has trouble catching flies in the air, but has no trouble when it lands. My P. Ocellata, however, are adept at catching flying flies. None within range have ever escaped. Hunger may help in the sense that it would maybe strike more.
Eh, I beg to differ. I have seen a few of my mantises when stuffed do half assed, lazy claw strikes at bugs when they know they don't have any need for catching it.I've also noticed a difference in my mantises hunting paterns depending on how much they have eaten. When they have been getting a lot of chow, my chinese have more of a tendancy to do the sit and wait for an insect to come directly up to them before striking. If they haven't eaten recently however they are far more intent on catching their prey and will often stalk and even chase their prey around the cage.
Eh..... My males don't even bother to go strike at the prey, and my females, though bloated, strike, catch, and eat until they drop it partially eaten. Did not notice any slower strikes. I guess it depends on the mantis/attitude.(Like how some are really jumpy, while others seem tame.)
Yeah alot of it has to do with the mantids strike speed, which is roughly around 60 meters a second. Thats pretty tough to get away from.
