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Mantidfly

Insects

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Mantidflies are insects of the family Mantispidae, related to lacewings and antlions within the order Neuroptera, notable for evolving raptorial front legs that closely resemble those of the unrelated praying mantis through convergent evolution. Found worldwide, most species have predatory larvae that parasitize spider egg sacs, hatching and burrowing inside to feed, while adults are free-living predators of other insects.

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