Insect Order (Neuroptera)
NEUROPTERA
The order Neuroptera includes only around 335 recognized species in North America. The mouths of these insects are designed for chewing and vision from the compound eyes is thought to be good. Body shapes are typically long and slender and wings transparent. They can be found most anywhere outdoors, from forests to deserts, and feed on a diet of pollen / nectar and other insects. Larvae can be found on branches of trees or near the roots of plants on the ground. The Hemiptera order covers Antlions, Lacewings, Mantidflies, and Owlflies. Antlions, in particular, can be sometimes mistaken for Dragonflies.
Taxonomy
Other Names: "Matisfly; Wasp Mantidfly"
The Taxonomic Breakdown is the scientific way to categorize a partocular insect species from its largest group (Animalia) to its smallest (variable). The Genus and Species categorizations taken together make up the species' scientific name shown above, in this case Climaciella brunnea.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Neuroptera
Family: Mantispidae
Genus: Climaciella
Species: brunnea
Characteristics
Abdomen: Has a noticeably large / oversized abdomen.
Helpful: Known for its generally helpful-to-human qualities.
Outdoors: Typically found across the great outdoors.
Six-Legged: Six legs are common to this insect.
Striped / Banded: Noticeable stripes or banding pattern.
Winged: Has wings to hop or fly over distance.
Description
The Brown Mantidfly is also known by these other names:
Matisfly :: Wasp Mantidfly
The Brown Mantidfly has been identified by site users by the following descriptors:
yellow black brown transparent flying winged wings striped outdoors six-legged garden helpful eyes abdomen large
Sighting Guide
The general likelihood of encountering this insect based on a given month of the year in the state of Tennessee. Generally, the best sighting months are June through August with peak occurring in July.
Size
Below is a representation of the 'smallest-small' and 'largest-large' sizes commonly associated with the Brown Mantidfly. Due to monitor differences, sizes may not be exact on your particular screen. Conversions to millimeters are provided for convenience.
Lowest-Low:
0.91 inches
(23 mm)
Highest-High:
1.18 inches
(30 mm)
Identifying Colors
Below you will find the colors most commonly associated with the Brown Mantidfly. Both Primary and Secondary colors are represented in the showcase. Due to monitor differences, colors may not be exact representations.
Tennessee County Reach
The Brown Mantidfly can be found in the following Tennessee counties:
Anderson; Bedford; Benton; Bledsoe; Blount; Bradley; Campbell; Cannon; Carroll; Carter; Cheatham; Chester; Claiborne; Clay; Cocke; Coffee; Crockett; Cumberland; Davidson; De Kalb; Decatur; Dickson; Dyer; Fayette; Fentress; Franklin; Gibson; Giles; Grainger; Greene; Grundy; Hamblen; Hamilton; Hancock; Hardeman; Hardin; Hawkins; Haywood; Henderson; Henry; Hickman; Houston; Humphreys; Jackson; Jefferson; Johnson; Knox; Lake; Lauderdale; Lawrence; Lewis; Lincoln; Loudon; Macon; Madison; Marion; Marshall; Maury; McMinn; McNairy; Meigs; Monroe; Montgomery; Moore; Morgan; Obion; Overton; Perry; Pickett; Polk; Putnam; Rhea; Roane; Robertson; Rutherford; Scott; Sequatchie; Sevier; Shelby; Smith; Stewart; Sullivan; Sumner; Tipton; Trousdale; Unicoi; Union; Van Buren; Warren; Washington; Wayne; Weakley; White; Williamson; Wilson
Brown Mantidfly Picture (1)
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Image of an adult Brown Mantidfly flying insect at rest outside.; Credit: Karl M. of Shoreview, Minnesota.
This image is original to
www.InsectIdentification.org; Used with Permission.
