The mantidfly: A master of disguise

26 minutes ago
2 min read

Take a close look at this bug and guess what kind of insect it is. Is it a wasp? Is it a mantis? Is it a fly? What if I told you it was none of these?

A brown wasp mantidfly. (Photo via Shutterstock)

With more than 1 million insect species discovered around the world, there are going to be some strange looking bugs. The brown wasp mantidfly is one of these funny-looking species that you could find in your backyard!

With their striped body and sharp claws, it's difficult to tell what kind of insect it actually is. The mantidfly is in a group called Neuroptera (pronounced: noo-ROP-tuh-ruh), and it is related to species like the lacewing. Can you spot the similarities between the lacewing insect and another species of mantidfly pictured below?

A green mantidfly (above) and a green lacewing. (Photos via Adobe Stock)

What makes a mantidfly?

There are two methods for how mantidflies developed such similar features to other insects we know. First, mimicry, or the copying of traits, plays a big role in the color of this insect. Animals often pretend to look like something they're not, using colors, shapes and patterns to hide from or intimidate predators.

Words to know

Adaptation: A characteristic that helps an organism survive in the wild.

Convergent evolution: Involving traits that have independently developed in two or more different species.

Mimicry: A survival strategy that involves developing traits to look like something else.

Raptorial: Designed for grasping prey.

In the case of the brown wasp mantidfly, it developed patterns that mimic the paper wasp. Paper wasps are known for their venomous sting, but mantidflies cannot sting. But when other insects see this striped pattern, they know to stay away!

Now, let's look at those mantis claws! The mantidfly developed this feature through a process called convergent evolution. One of the best examples of this in the animal kingdom is the development of flight in bird and bat species. Two different species both learned to fly in order to collect resources other animals cannot.

The adaptation of raptorial forelegs in mantidfly species came about completely separate from actual mantises, but they have the same purpose. Both species use their claws for grabbing food like flies and other small insects.

Where can I see a mantidfly?

A brown wasp mantidfly. (Photo by Jeremy Cagle)

The brown wasp mantidfly lives all over the United States, Canada and Mexico, but they can still be hard to find. One reason for this is they are nocturnal, meaning they are mostly active at night. During the day, they may be hidden in prairie fields or other areas dense with plants.

The lifespan for these insects is also extremely short. Male mantidflies live for only about a week, while females can live for around a month or so. Look for these interesting creatures between May and October for the best shot at discovering them!