Mantis fly
| Title | Info |
|---|---|
| Common name | Mantis Fly |
| Scientific name | Mantispidae |
| Taxonomic group | Neuroptera |
| Level | Family |
| Source | Dan L. Perlman |
| Ecological interactions | Predation |
| Selection and adaptations | Selection |
| Selection | Convergence; Morphology |
| Organisms | Animals |
| Animals | Insects |
Related materials: Mantis and Mantis fly
Compare this image with that of the mantis to see the convergent evolution of their raptorial forelimbs.
Mantis fly. Neither a mantis nor a fly, this is a relative of lacewings and owlflies, and it is a great example of convergent evolution. Compare the shape of its grasping front limbs to those of the totally unrelated mantis to see how natural selection can reach the similar solutions to similar problems (grasping prey) from very different starting points.
