#mantispidae

Unidentified mantisfly, Mantispinae, Neuroptera

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

finally got to see one of my dream bugs!!

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

wasp mantidfly girl

Hello! I wanted to share a neat bug I found recently—pretty sure it’s a brown wasp mantidfly—that was in the parking lot at work. I used the piece of mulch to move it to a grassy area so hopefully it’s doing okay :)

(The pictures were taken on May 30th in North Texas btw)

Mantisfly ID - NO TX, USA:

Henlo, yesss, this looks like the or Western or Wasp Mantidfly (Climaciella brunnea), family Mantispidae, order Neuroptera.

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 ✨

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.