Mantidflies
Scientific name: Mantispidae
Mantidflies
Scientific name: Mantispidae
Description
At first glance, you might mistake the Mantispidae for a praying mantis due to their raptorial forelegs and elongated bodies. The Mantispidae are remarkable for their mimicry skills, specifically evolved to resemble the more formidable praying mantises, potentially to evade predators. During their larval stage, they lead a parasitic life, often infiltrating spider egg sacs where they feed on the developing spiders. This adaptive strategy showcases the Mantispidae's fascinating and somewhat grisly survival tactics in the insect world.