I've never seen one of these before,, looks like a mantis in front and a wasp in the behind area,, and obviosly they fly,,
A Wasp Mantidfly
Moderators: rjlittlefield, ChrisR, Chris S., Pau
- jaharris1001
- Posts: 319
- Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2007 6:26 pm
- Location: Deltona Florida
A Wasp Mantidfly
Jim
"I'm growing older,, but not up " Jimmy Buffett
"I'm growing older,, but not up " Jimmy Buffett
- rjlittlefield
- Site Admin
- Posts: 23561
- Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2006 8:34 am
- Location: Richland, Washington State, USA
- Contact:
This is quite a bizarre creature, isn't it? Looks like it was made by gluing parts of other insects together!
I agree with your ID. Folks who are new to these beasts probably think "wasp" or "mantis", but actually it is neither of those. It's in the Neuroptera, along with lacewings and antlions. The dark wings are unusual for the order and can be quite misleading. For more info & pictures, see these entries at BugGuide.net and InsectIdentification.org.
Nicely shot -- great detail on those raptorial front legs.
--Rik
I agree with your ID. Folks who are new to these beasts probably think "wasp" or "mantis", but actually it is neither of those. It's in the Neuroptera, along with lacewings and antlions. The dark wings are unusual for the order and can be quite misleading. For more info & pictures, see these entries at BugGuide.net and InsectIdentification.org.
Nicely shot -- great detail on those raptorial front legs.
--Rik
- jaharris1001
- Posts: 319
- Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2007 6:26 pm
- Location: Deltona Florida