Mantisfly — printable fact sheet
Free to print or save as PDF. Great for classrooms, homeschooling, and young explorers.
Creature Atlas
Animal Fact Sheet
Name: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Mantisfly
Mantispidae (family; includes multiple genera and species)
The mantisfly is a fascinating predatory insect belonging to the family Mantispidae, known for its striking resemblance to both praying mantises and lacewings. These insects possess raptorial forelegs similar to those of mantises, which they use to catch and hold prey, while the…
Did you know?
- Despite their name and appearance, mantisflies are more closely related to lacewings than to praying mantises.
- Mantisflies are well known for their remarkable mimicry, imitating the appearance and hunting techniques of true mantises. Their larvae display a unique parasitic behavior, often sneaking into spider egg sacs to feed on spider eggs. Adult mantisflies are agile fliers and can often be seen resting with their forelegs raised in a classic mantis pose.
What I learned
Draw the mantisfly
© Creature Atlas · www.creatureatlas.com · Free for classroom & personal use
Want the whole set?
Get printable fact-sheet packs, coloring pages, and classroom worksheet bundles for dozens of animals — ready to download and print.
Browse printable packsGet a free printable each week
Join the newsletter for a new Creature of the Week + printables.