Wasp mantidfly (Climacella brunnea)
The wasp mantidfly is a species in the huge family of Mantispidae (Mantidflies), which is a family of small to moderate-sized insects in the order Neuroptera (net-winged insects). Although the wasp mantidfly has grasping mantid-like raptorial front legs it is not closely related to mantids (praying mantises). Their front legs are used in the same way as a mantid’s, however, in catching small insect prey for food.
C. brunnea has a very interesting life cycle. During their 3-4 week adult life stage, inch-long females may lay as many as several thousand short-stalked eggs, grouped on the underside of plant leaves. The eggs hatch and each tiny larva waits for a passing spider. The larva then boards the spider and rides around on it until the spider lays eggs. At this time the tiny mantispid larva crawls off the spider and into the egg sac, where it feeds on the spider eggs in the security of the silken spider egg sac.
photo credits: C. Hedstrom, Cheryl Johnson