Identification?

[SilentOne588]

A good friend of mine has been taking care of 3 budwings for a project in our biology class. As I was sitting at my computer about 30 minutes ago, my cat was attempting to catch an insect crawling across my carpet. Upon further inspection, I recognized it as a mantid of some kind. It is about an inch long, it has two large wings, and it has a striped abdomen. I live in the northeastern US. Unfortunately my camera isn't working so I cannot post a picture. Any clue on the species? I intend on taking it to my friend tomorrow to see what he thinks, and probably giving it to him to take care of.

 

[robo mantis]

does its abdomin make a bowl shape?

 

[SilentOne588]

It looks sort of like the abdomen of a wasp.

 

[robo mantis]

hmm not sure you might have a male of somthing

 

[OGIGA]

Are you sure it's a mantis?

 

[SilentOne588]

I'm sure its a mantis because it has the large front legs that resemble those of the budwings my friend has. Its head can move independantly of its body. It has two large eyes. Each wing as a dark line along the outside edge.

 

[robo mantis]

it might be a mantis fly?

 

[SilentOne588]

I just ran a google search on "Mantis Fly" and that appears to be what I have found. So I guess its not really a mantis at all?

 

[robo mantis]

Nope but it is still cool i think they still eat like mantids try it

 

[SilentOne588]

Well it sure had me fooled :mrgreen:

 

[OGIGA]

They're still pretty cool! Check it out.

 

[Ian]

Well done on finding a mantis fly. I think we have had a couple of people on here before who have also found one.

 

[Asa]

They're still pretty cool! Check it out.

I very rarely see those. Less than mantids.

 

[OGIGA]

I didn't find a real one... this was found after searching Google for 30 seconds.

 

[Asa]

I didn't find a real one... this was found after searching Google for 30 seconds.

No, I know that, I was talking about him

 

[buddhistsoldier88]

never knew something like that existed :shock: thats crazy!

 

[hibiscusmile]

I cant' believe it either. Isn't that something, I'll thought I had the real thing too. :?