Description: Order Neuroptera: Family: Mantispidae Subfamily Mantispinae Genera: Campion
Bugwise states Mantis flies (family Mantispidae) are lacewings despite their name. They are characterised by having raptorial forelegs similar to praying mantids. Furthermore they may even behave like a mantid, otherwise all the other features apply.
Australian Faunal Directory describes these: "These specialised mantis-like lacewings are very distinctive. Adults of some species are brightly coloured, and may be collected by sweeping blossom; others are crepuscular and are attracted to light. Three (of four) subfamilies occur in Australia, following the taxonomic arrangement of Lambkin (1986a, 1986b), namely Mantispinae, Calomantispinae and Drepanicinae. Eggs of some species are laid in very large batches, sometimes communally (McKeown & Mincham 1948). Larvae are initially active triungulins (first instar larvae) which either board a female spider and enter her egg sac when it is produced, or search directly for egg sacs. They then become sedentary parasitoids, and spend the rest of their immature life in the host egg sac. Some non-Australian taxa parasitise social Hymenoptera or other hosts.. " Explore: Nov 16, 2009 #403. Date: 16 November 2009, 15:08. Source:
Wierdly beautiful - A Mantisfly. Author:
Jean and Fred from Perth, Australia. Camera location
31° 52′ 46.71″ S, 116° 03′ 13.98″ E View all coordinates using:
OpenStreetMap-31.879643; 116.053884.
