A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Mantispidae
Tiny little mantis nymph. This one measures about 3/8" long! Located near a street lamp and spotted at night
Tropical dry forest in NW Costa Rica 4 months into the 6 month rainy season.
About 5–47 millimetres (0.2–1.9 in) long and with a wingspan of 5–30 mm (0.2–1.2 in), some mantidflies (e.,g. Climaciella brunnea, Euclimacia nodosa) are wasp mimics, but most are brownish with green, yellow and sometimes red hues. They get their name from their mantis-like appearance, as their spiny "raptorial" front legs are modified to catch small insect prey and are very similar to the front legs of mantids. The adults are predatory insects that are often nocturnal, and are sometimes attracted by porch lights or blacklights. They are usually green, brown, yellow, and sometimes pink, and have four membranous wings which may sometimes be patterned (especially in wasp mimicking species) but are usually clear. Adult mantidflies are predators of suitably sized insects, which they catch as mantids do. Mantidflies are active hunters, but as with other Neuroptera, they are cumbersome fliers.
9 Comments
This is the first one I spotted in a number of years looking. Thanks Andrea
Great pic Larry! I love mantispids
Thank you for your explanation. I am learning a lot about insects
since I join the Project Noah and I am truly exciting to see all amazing creatures.
Hey Rieko, there are certain insects that have that same reflection in the eyes when there is flash at night. I've noticed that this also happens with some antlions as well. Thanks!
Look at the eyes!! very nice.
Thanks Maria!
I agree with ForestDragon - cool spotting!
Thank you so much Forest!
Hi Larry. This is a really cool spotting!
However, this is an insect called a Mantidfly from Family Mantispidae. They are similar looking to Mantids in some ways but do have distinct differences.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantispidae...