Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar

TaxonomyBrowseInfoImagesLinksBooksData
Photo#135328
Mantidfly - Zeugomantispa minuta

Mantidfly - Zeugomantispa minuta
Adams County, Pennsylvania, USA
August 8, 2007
Size: 1"
I believe this a nymph of some species but I don't know which. It looks like a lace wing but the head and neck looks unusual. I see four legs and possibly two front legs that are not developed. What is the green around the front legs? Can anyone tell me what it is? and anything about it?

Images of this individual: tag all
Mantidfly - Zeugomantispa minuta Mantidfly - Zeugomantispa minuta

nice pic
this mantid fly has great colors

cool
Bob,

Great find! I've never seen one before, but keep looking. Just saw a Cicada Killer in my yard a first here, now if I can get a photo.

 
Mantid Fly
Hi Randy,

First one I have ever seen too. Didn't know where to start looking on the guide. :) I had Cidada Killers in year's past but have not seen any here thus far this year. I did get some good shots (I think) of the European "Giant" Wasp this morning. Long time coming, the ones I had were barely legal. :)

nymph
Wonderful pic Bob, could this be a Mantidfly?? Perhaps Zeugomantispa minuta
Naomi

 
Mantidfly
Sure looks like it Naomi. Completely alien to me. You were right, we never run out of subjects. :)

Thanks for the ID.

 
Adult.
Naomi, you're on that this is indeed a mantidfly! However, it's an adult - nymphs wouldn't have a fully-developed set of wings. In fact, Mantidfly larvae look very different ... see here.

 
ID
Thanks for your confirmation, Stephen. Can you tell me anymore about the green portion of the front legs? I had to look closely before I could really see the legs. Very interesting creature.

Comment viewing options
Select your preferred way to display the comments and click 'Save settings' to activate your changes.