It's a fly... it's a mantis... it's a mantidfly!

[Krissim Klaw]

Okay, I know this isn't technically a mantis, but yesterday a little visitor stopped by on the porch. I've seen a couple mantisflies at a distance but this is the first time I managed to snag one and check it out up close. I know these photos aren't the best but I thought I would share.

It chilling on the outside of Voodoo's cage.

I also got a close up of the head/claws.

I debated keeping the little dear but I figured it would be better to release him/her so he/she could make more mantidflies. I did give him/her a snack of some flies before leaving. No photos I am afraid because the little turd decided to wait and eat when I was distracted with tending to my mantises. I didn't get to see anything of the eating process just came back to some fly leg/wings on the floor. This of course after spending like a half hour trying to coax him/her to eat while I was watching. XP

I still find it amazing how two separate groups of insects still managed to come up with such a similar design when it comes to survival.

 

[BugLover]

Woah! never seen anything like that before.... besides mantids lol.

 

[Paradoxica]

Nice, does it's "elbows" hinge in the opposite direction?

 

[jrh3]

is that a mantis fly? i have seen a few green ones around here

 

[aNisip]

Nice, does it's "elbows" hinge in the opposite direction?

Not exactly, they are just flatter and still strike like a mantis a lot like how toxodera strikes...flatten out their arms and then strike...it helps get distance on the prey...or sometimes orchid mantises can strike like this..

Nice mantid fly krissim! I like the wasp mimics a lot! so cool....

 

[D_Hemptress]

very interesting, never seen or heard of this sp.

thanks for sharing

 

[Krissim Klaw]

Woah! never seen anything like that before.... besides mantids lol.

Yep, they are one of those hidden gems of the insect world out there.

Nice, does it's "elbows" hinge in the opposite direction?

Andrew did a better job of describing it than I could. They do look backwards but they aren't exactly. For some reason they remind me of silly chicken wing claws.

is that a mantis fly? i have seen a few green ones around here

Yep, they are mantidflies. There are a variety of colors and species out there.

Not exactly, they are just flatter and still strike like a mantis a lot like how toxodera strikes...flatten out their arms and then strike...it helps get distance on the prey...or sometimes orchid mantises can strike like this..

Nice mantid fly krissim! I like the wasp mimics a lot! so cool....

I love the wasp mimics. I can only stare at this video of one with lust.

They are fun little critters. Mother nature is always surprising me with new stuff.

 

[Scruffy Aphid Herder]

So it looks like a mantis and it's called a mantidfly but it's not a mantis... I call BS.. I want one x]

 

[BugLover]

So it looks like a mantis and it's called a mantidfly but it's not a mantis... I call BS.. I want one x]

DITTO. How long do these live?

 

[Krissim Klaw]

So it looks like a mantis and it's called a mantidfly but it's not a mantis... I call BS.. I want one x]

They have a completely different life cycle than a mantis and belong to the group Mantispidae

DITTO. How long do these live?

I have no idea. Unfortunately it doesn't seem like there is a ton of research out there on them. You have to keep in mind this is the adult stage. They go through two larva stages and pupate before reaching their more mantis shaped appearance.

 

[Coneja]

Very cool! I never even knew these existed (which, I suppose, isn't saying a lot for me )

I still find it amazing how two separate groups of insects still managed to come up with such a similar design when it comes to survival.

Me too, I love it. Very interesting from an evolutionary standpoint.

 

[Precarious]

I want one so bad!!!

 

[Mime454]

I think they only live in their adult form for a few weeks. Their larval form isn't very interesting either. I've only seen one adult in my life.

 

[Krissim Klaw]

I want one so bad!!!

If I had been thinking straight I would have checked to see if you were interested. I bet you could have taken awesome photos.

 

[Precarious]

If I had been thinking straight I would have checked to see if you were interested. I bet you could have taken awesome photos.

That's exactly what I would do! Some day I will. Wish we had them in PA. And I wish they lived longer so I could buy one. Apparently they don't last very long in the adult form.

 

[Krissim Klaw]

That's exactly what I would do! Some day I will. Wish we had them in PA. And I wish they lived longer so I could buy one. Apparently they don't last very long in the adult form.

Aww man now I feel terrible. If I happen upon another I'll make sure and snag it for you. All you would have to cover is shipping.

 

[Precarious]

Aww man now I feel terrible. If I happen upon another I'll make sure and snag it for you. All you would have to cover is shipping.

That would be amazing. I'd give you something good in trade on top of that.

 

[aNisip]

I see the wasp mimics all the time when I visit my grandmothers house in MA ....all in the fields.....if I see any this summer ill hit u up Henry

Really? Only a week? I've kept them for at least two...not sure abt that info....

 

[Krissim Klaw]

That would be amazing. I'd give you something good in trade on top of that.

I'm sure someone on this board will find one for you! I know I would love to see the photos you come up with.

I see the wasp mimics all the time when I visit my grandmothers house in MA ....all in the fields.....if I see any this summer ill hit u up Henry

Really? Only a week? I've kept them for at least two...not sure abt that info....

Oh man the wasp mimics are the ones I would most love to see in culture. If they only live a few weeks as adults though that would be a bummer.