#Mantispidae

[onenicebugperday]

Unidentified mantisfly, Mantispinae, Neuroptera

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

Shared with permission; do not remove credit or re-post!

[bowelfly]

inkwash bugs

[platycryptus]

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

(Massachusetts, 7/3/23)

[aegann]

wasp mantidfly girl

Climaciella brunnea

[herpsandbirds]

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.

Species Climaciella brunnea - Brown Wasp Mantidfly - BugGuide.Net

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

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.

(Image: A wasp mantidfly (Climaciella brunnea) by Ken Childs)

[coolbugs]

Bug of the Day

We are in peak bug-finding season - I have taken over 800 photos so far this month! At least this horrible hot and humid weather is good for something...

(From top to bottom: Say's mantidfly (Dicromantispa sayi), marsh fly (Tetanocera sp.), and firefly (Photuris sp.)

[have-you-seen-this-animal]

can you do the wasp mantidfly (Climaciella brunnea)? i love them bc they're not wasps or mantids it's just mimicry and convergent evolution

Sure, they're very cool looking! The color-scheme is gorgeous, and I love the look of their wings.

[addicted2wasps]

Climaciella brunnea! I don't come across these very often, so seeing this one was quite something! Such a weird and cute little insect. It is neither a fly, or a wasp, or a mantis. This wasp mimic Mantidfly is in the order Neuroptera, family Mantispidae. Basically just a fancy lacewing with raptorial forelegs.

[wikipediapictures]

Climaciella

“Climaciella brunnea, wasp mantidfly, ID Confidence: 92” - via Wikimedia Commons

[rattyexplores]

Peculiar Eggs

I thought these masses were a slime mold at first. Apparently they're Mantidfly eggs.

Unidentified, family Mantispidae

22/03/23

[fagunt]

Mantid-lacewing, Lake MacDonald, Queensland Australia

[bowelfly]

i'm thinking about bugs

[aegann]

I really need money this month so I'm selling these two ladies (wasp scorpionfly and rabbit botfly, respectively) each for $40USD OBO.

DM me to claim!! Reblogs are appreciated!

[herpsandbirds]

I’m baaaack!

One of my favorite bugs native here in Missouri, a wheel bug! (One of few bugs I can always positively ID- but not a bug to touch!)

And a new bug I haven’t seen here before. But it is cute. Any idea what species it might be? Or a genus or family or something? Because I’m gonna read up on it once I know what it is.

Insect ID - MO, USA:

Oh very nice this is a Mantisfly. I believe this one is a Green Mantidfly (Zeugomantispa minuta), family Mantispidae.

Species Zeugomantispa minuta - BugGuide.Net

[feral-babe]

The Moon

The Moon exudes an enigmatic aura, representing a portal into the realm of intuition, illusion, and the mysteries of the subconscious mind. It beckons us to explore the depths of our psyche, unveiling hidden truths and confronting our fears. It teaches us to embrace the unknown and navigate the shadows within our own minds confront our hidden fears and anxieties to uncover personal truths and attain emotional equilibrium. It's essential to release these deep memories and fears and transform the negative energies into constructive forces.

With their cryptic appearance, mantisflies embody the duality present in The Moon card, where what appears on the surface may not reveal the full truth. One species mimics the appearance of a wasp, complete with its bright colors and distinctive markings. This not only offers protection from predators but also serves as a testament to the power of illusion, and serves as an invitation to explore the blurred line between reality and illusion, reminding us that what we perceive might not always be what it seems. Additionally, the larvae of certain species parasitize spiders, underscoring the Moon card's notion of navigating hidden depths. Just as the card invites us to journey through our subconscious, these larvae delve into the lives of spiders, revealing the intricacies of the natural world that often remain concealed. This behavior serves as a metaphor for confronting our own vulnerabilities and acknowledging the complexity of our motivations. It encourages us to explore the hidden corners of our emotions and confront aspects of ourselves that we may have ignored or denied.

The Moon / The mantisfly beckons us to delve into our inner landscapes, navigate the illusions that surround us, and face the shadows that lie within. Much like the mimicry and parasitic behavior of these insects, the card encourages us to unveil truths beneath the surface and embrace the enigmatic aspects of our journey. By acknowledging both the light and shadow within us, we can achieve greater self-awareness, navigate life's uncertainties and explore the unknown with courage, and harness the transformative power of the moon's ever-changing phases.

Prints available on Redbubble and Inprnt

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