#mantispidae

[herpsandbirds]

Green Mantisfly (Zeugomantispa minuta), family Mantispidae, Piedmont Discovery Center, VA, USA

photograph via: Piedmont Discovery Center

[onenicebugperday]

Unidentified mantisfly, Mantispinae, Neuroptera

Photographed in Indonesia by Nicky Bay // Website // Facebook

Shared with permission; do not remove credit or re-post!

[bucketbugs]

🐝wasp mantidfly 🐝

finally got to see one of my dream bugs!!

absolutely amazing critter

[bowelfly]

inkwash bugs

[platycryptus]

the wasp-mimic mantisfly (Climaciella brunnea) is not only one of the coolest bugs out there but can also be surprisingly calm and friendly, at least if you charm it with the offering of a delicious blood-filled mosquito

(Massachusetts, 7/3/23)

[aegann]

wasp mantidfly girl

Climaciella brunnea

[ljsbugblog]

gorgeous little mantidlfy! despite their name they are not related to the praying mantis, but are part of the order Neuroptera along with antlions and lacewings-- a great example of convergent evolution!

the flash makes their eyes look like little galaxies ✨

Unknown Mantidfly (genus Austromantispa), April '24.

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

Wasp? Mantis? Fly? The wasp mantidfly is none of the above! This species is actually a member of the family neuroptera, or nerve-winged insects, which is also host to a range of other falsly named insects including owlflies (neither owls nor flies), antlions (neither ants nor lions) and lacewings (wings are not made of lace). However, the wasp mantidfly does predate on other arthropods, and will adopt a striking posture when threatened.

(Image: A wasp mantidfly (Climaciella brunnea) by Ken Childs)