Oohikubi Kamakirimodoki Specimen Fly Mayfly Dragonfly

Scientific Name: Euclimacia badia?

Common Name: Large Mantis Fly Mimic

This is a large species of mantis fly mimic found in Japan (especially south of the Yaeyama Islands). It is characterized by its mimicry of wasps and its scythe-like forelegs, similar to those of a praying mantis. It has a parasitic lifestyle, preying on spiders, and is considered a fascinating insect due to its behavior, such as mimicking wasps by arching its abdomen in a stinging motion.

Mimicry: It closely resembles yellow wasps like the Asian paper wasp, mimicking their walking style and the gesture of thrusting its abdomen.
Morphology: It possesses scythe-like forelegs, which it uses to capture prey. It is one of the largest species of mantis fly mimics found in Japan.
Ecology: It has a unique life cycle called spider parasitism, where its larvae parasitize spider egg sacs and feed on spider eggs.
Distribution: It is found on Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island, and is also believed to be distributed in Taiwan and the Philippines.

Although taxonomically classified within the order Neuroptera (family Mantispidae), it is distinct from praying mantises (order Mantodea). However, it is called a mantis fly mimic due to its similar appearance.

Mantispidae, commonly known as mantis flies, are small to medium-sized insects belonging to the order Neuroptera. Approximately 400 species are found worldwide, with many genera distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Only 5 species inhabit Europe. These species are named after their raptorial forelegs, which resemble those of praying mantises, an example of convergent evolution.

We will ship the specimen collected from Mt. Yarabudake, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. It was collected on May 16, 2004.
I measured its total length to be 30mm.
Please understand that we cannot guarantee against any degradation due to shipping.