Mantispa styriaca

Mantispa styriaca. This beautiful mantid fly appeared at night on a light trap.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantispidae
http://naturdata.com/Mantispa-styriaca-38084.htm

comments (11)

John Sullivan

Lion

I've created a simple species record for Mantispa styriaca, so you can ID it now. Cool insect! Posted 5 years ago
1. RMFelix
  
  Lion
  
  Thank you so much, John Sullivan! Cheers* Posted 5 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

That neck, those eyes, unlike anything I've seen before. Truly unique. Posted 5 years ago
1. RMFelix
  
  Lion
  
  Indeed a fascinating insect! Thanks a lot, cheers* Posted 5 years ago

Claire Hamilton

Lion

Remarkable, one for my list! Posted 5 years ago
1. RMFelix
  
  Lion
  Thank you so much, Claire Hamilton, for the appreciation and for the add on your
  Nature's Oddities
  list! Cheers*
  Posted 5 years ago

Msalicat

Eagle Owl

WOW that is beautiful and very different Posted 5 years ago
1. RMFelix
  
  Lion
  
  Thank you so much, Msalicat! Cheers* Posted 5 years ago

Christine Young

Lion

Today's Facebook post:

hese stunning creatures are mantisflies (Order Neuroptera, Family Mantispidae)! There are approximately 400 species worldwide, with most living in the tropics. Depending on the species, adults may grow to 25 mm (1 in) in length. Mantisflies are predators and feed on a variety of insects, capturing prey in the same manner as a prating mantis.
Despite their common name, they are not flies, nor are they mantises. They definitely have a mantis-like appearance though, thanks to their raptorial front legs, large eyes, and triangular heads. But, they also have the abdomen and wings of a lacewing! This hodgepodge of parts makes them look like the insect version of a chimera!
As awesome as the adults are (just look at their eyes!), the larvae are arguably more weirdly spectacular. They are holometabolous, which means they undergo complete metamorphosis with the larvae looking nothing like the adults. They start life as tiny, very active larvae. They are constantly on the move, searching for…spiders! A larva must board a spider and ride around on it until the spider lays eggs. If it gets hungry during this time, it will feed on the spider’s blood. If a larva has the misfortune of boarding a male spider, it can move onto a female when the male copulates with one. When the female lays eggs, a mantisfly larva crawls onto them, get wrapped in the silk, and then feeds on the eggs. Eventually, it pupates and the adult emerges to begin the cycle again. #JungleDragon #Mantispidae #Mantidfly #Mantisfly

https://www.facebook.com/jungledragonwildlife Posted 8 months ago
1. RMFelix
  
  Lion
  
  Fabulous indeed this creatures*
  Thanks so much, Christine
  Great post* Posted 8 months ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    You're welcome, Rui! Posted 8 months ago

The Mantispa styriaca

Mantispa styriaca is one of five species of Mantispa found in Europe. It belongs to the family Mantispidae, commonly called mantidflies or mantis-flies due to their praying-mantis-like front grasping legs.

Info 2 0

Similar species: Net-winged Insects

Species identified by RMFelix