MANTIS-FLY

mantis-fly, the name given to neuropterous insects of the family _mantispidae_, related to the ant-lions, lace-wing flies, &c., and named from their superficial resemblance to a _mantis_ owing to the length of the prothorax and the shape and prehensorial nature of the anterior legs. the larva, at first campodeiform, makes its way into the egg-case of a spider or the nest of a wasp to feed upon the eggs or young. subsequently it changes into a fat grub with short legs. when full grown it spins a silken cocoon in which the transformation into the pupa is effected. the latter escapes from its double case before moulting into the mature insect.