Praying Mantis? - Dicromantispa sayi

Moved

… John R. Maxwell, 17 December, 2008 - 7:36am

Moved

Moved from Mantispa.

… Beatriz Moisset, 19 August, 2006 - 6:09pm

#70966 Identification -- ?Dicromantispa sp.

Coloration is a bit different from what I'm used to, but most mantispids are quite variable in size and coloration. Based on morphology and distribution, this is probably a Dicromantispa. Several years ago all New World mantispine mantispids were removed from the genus Mantispa, which is now exclusively Old World, so no species found in the U.S. or Canada are now properly placed in the genus Mantispa.

… John D. Oswald, 19 August, 2006 - 5:44pm

must be D. sayi

… v belov, 17 December, 2008 - 5:12am

Thanks for the info

Does it mean that we should move all the images that are now on the Mantispa page to this genus? I just want to make sure before doing anything.

… Beatriz Moisset, 19 August, 2006 - 6:05pm

Mantispa

I believe your mantidfly is in the genus Mantispa. I'll move it to the correct page.

… Gretchen Grammer, 15 August, 2006 - 9:24pm

Nice find!

Don't forget that mantid flies, despite the name and appearance are not mantids nor related to them; they are closer to antlions. It is a case of convergent evolution in which two entirely different groups of creatures have developed similar structures because they have similar habits. They are both carnivorous.
Mantid flies are considerable rarer than mantids, I haven't seen one yet.

… Beatriz Moisset, 15 August, 2006 - 8:04pm

Mantidfly

You are correct in your ID, this is a mantidfly. Neat find!

… Chris Wirth, 15 August, 2006 - 7:30pm