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Climaciella brunnea Say, 1824
Brown Wasp Mantidfly
Florida native
Found throughout Florida and much of the United States, frequently in old fields and on wildflowers waiting for prey. The range extends north into southern Canada and south through Mexico and Central America.
Brown wasp mantidflies are 23-30mm (~1 in.) long, overall brownish with abdominal markings resembling wasps. Wings are brown along the leading edge and tips and clear in much of the rear portion. The raptorial forelegs are claw-like, much like those of mantids and mantises.
This species abdominal coloration is highly variable and exhibits Batesian mimicry of the genus Polistes, often resembling the local species of paper wasps.
Climaciella brunnea is a member of the Mantispidae - Mantid Lacewings family.
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Bugguide.net page for this species
Date record last modified: Dec 15, 2023
