Scientists from Newcastle University in the United Kingdom have gone ahead and proved that praying mantises have 3D vision, which is known as strereopsis. The researchers developed tiny e3D glasses for the bugs and made them wear it. It is an important discovery since until now, 3D vision had only been proved for vertebrates. The journal Scientific Results published the outcomes provided by the team.

Anaglyph glasses were given to the mantises by the scientists and the glasses were something like the traditional red and blue lenses used to watch 3D films. However, researchers discovered that mantises are not able to have a clear vision of red light. Thus, researchers shifted to the lenses of blue and green colors. According to the study, the mantises displayed ‘illusion of 3D depth’ with these lenses.

During the study, images of the mantises’ prey were displayed in front of them on bright background. The mantises reacted on the thee-dimensional images by striking them out. However, no such reaction was observed with two-dimensional images. The insect 3D cinema technique was used for getting clear and dramatic evidence for stereopsis in insects and this provides new areas for research.

"Despite their minute brains, mantises are sophisticated visual hunters which can capture prey with terrifying efficiency. We can learn a lot by studying how they perceive the world”, said Jenny Read, a professor of vision science and leader of the study. She added that gaining an insight into the uncomplicated processing systems of the insects will enable the scientists to understand the evolution of the 3D vision.

This might subsequently lead to the development of new algorithms, which can be used for 3D depth perception in computers, stated Read. The ultimate aim of the researchers is to get a comprehensive understanding of the human depth perception and how three-dimensional pictures are processed by the eyes.