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#1384818
Wasp Mantidfly? - Climaciella brunnea

Wasp Mantidfly? - Climaciella brunnea
Bullitt County, Kentucky, USA
June 14, 2017
Wasp mantidfly? Mimic of a wasp - not sure why, it seems tough enough by itself. Found exploring a plant for prey.

Images of this individual: tag all
Wasp Mantidfly? - Climaciella brunnea Wasp Mantidfly? - Climaciella brunnea Wasp Mantidfly? - Climaciella brunnea

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

Nice Find
Dan

 
Behavior
A behavior worth noting on this guy was that when it spotted me it would constantly try to keep me oriented head on with it's fore legs (claws) tucked tightly under its head which not coincidently is the angle that makes it most likely to be mistaken for a wasp. We danced around quite a bit before I was able to get some shots that exposed it for what it was!

 
Nice Find
Thanks!
Strictly luck - never had seen a mantidfly before and momentarily thought this was a wasp. I may never see another one ... but I will be looking.

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