The feeding behaviour of stage I–III phyllosoma of the spiny lobsters Jasus edwardsii and Jasus verreauxi was recorded to determine the sequence of events and sensory mechanisms involved in the feeding process. All phyllosoma exhibited a characteristic tumbling behaviour prior to making contact with an individual Artemia and feeding behaviour was similar between the two species. Tactile contact with pereiopods 1 or 2 was necessary to initiate a prey capture response which involved spearing of Artemia, using the terminal dactyl present on these two pereiopods and then passing the prey forward to the mouth with the maxillipeds.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the pereiopods revealed two morphologically distinct receptors present on the distal segments. These receptors are suggested to have tactile and chemoreceptive roles.