Arthropods • Earth.com

Climaciella brunnea

(Climaciella brunnea)

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Description

Climaciella brunnea, known sometimes by the common names wasp mantidfly and brown mantidfly, is a predatory neuropteran insect in the family Mantispidae. C. brunnea has a triangular head with large, compound eyes and a broad frons. It has straight antennae. Its raptorial forelegs are similar in shape and function to that of Mantodea; however, this adaptation evolved independently in the two groups and is an example of convergent evolution. The wings of C. brunnea are distinctive in that they are often characterized by having thick brown edges and transparent inner edges. The species has a body length of 2 to 3 cm. Its markings mimic those of wasps species within the Polistes genus. C. brunnea exhibits a large amount of color polymorphism as many groups will mimic the colorations of specific wasps found within their respective region. Climaciella brunnea is a species in the genus Climaciella and the family Mantispidae. It is in the order Neuroptera, or the net-winged insects. Climaciella brunnea is found in Canada, the United States, and as far south as Nicaragua. While finding a single C. brunnea alone is difficult, the species is most commonly seen in aggregations. Attracted to a male pheromone, groups of C. brunnea will accumulate in areas to breed and feed. Adults can be found sitting on vegetation or flowers in forest clearings. Individuals are often found on flower heads waiting for prey or feeding on nectar. Thus, it has some effect on pollination and is known as an casual pollinator. First instar larva of this species are campodeiform and will use phoretic behavior in an attempt to find an adult spider. C. brunnea specializes on Lycosid spiders. The larva have a unique adaptation known as a caudal sucker that they use to attach themselves to the substrate of their habitat. Once attached, they will lift themselves and begin to wave their body back and forth for a short period of time. Afterwards, if they have not grabbed onto a passing spider they will briefly rest before resuming their phoretic behavior. Once on the adult spider, C. brunnea larva will remain atop the carapace of the spider until either the spider copulates or begins to lay eggs. If the larva grabbed onto a male spider, they will quickly transfer to a female spider when the male mates.

Taxonomic tree:

Domain:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum:
Class: Insecta
Order:Neuroptera
Family:Mantispidae
Genus:Climaciella
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