Convergent evolution at its finest!

in #stemgeekslast year

Damn, nature never seizes to amaze me!

Just check out this little fucker I learnt about today, that looks like a crazy wasp / praying mantis hybrid. Yet it's related to neither as it belongs to Neuroptera

Scientifically described as Climaciella brunnea, it occurs in Canada, the United States, and as far south as Nicaragua. Not surprisingly, some of its common names are wasp mantidfly, western mantidfly, and brown mantidfly.

Like mantises they have raptorial forelegs that look and function almost the same, allowing it to attack and catch smaller bugs and shit, a result of convergent evolution

Convergent evolution is the independent evolution of similar features in species of different periods or epochs in time. Convergent evolution creates analogous structures that have similar form or function but were not present in the last common ancestor of those groups. source

And as you can see, it also employs the trick of mimicry to discourage potential predators. Who wants to mess with wasps after all? I know I don't 😂

It even mimics the stinging of a wasp:

The mantidfly holds the tip of its abdomen vertically as it begins to move itself in a back and forth motion

Worry not though, this is just a bluff as they have no sting and they are pretty harmless to humans

Another cool thing about them is how they hitchhike spiders during the larval stage

First instar larvae 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 larvae 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. sourc

Overall, a pretty interesting and unique critter with many tricks up its sleeve. Here's a link to Wikipedia if you want to learn more about them!

And here's one final video:

What a ridiculous creature 😲

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Fascinating creature. I live in the US and I can say I've never seen one. Another one of those bizarre creatures!

What are you waiting? Go and find one 😂

Knowing my luck I'll find a yellow jacket instead. Those are nasty sons of bitches...

It looks like dragonfly with stolen features of terminator with extra senses.

At first I thought they're deadly.

Insanely unique and never seen a wasp like that before.

It's not a wasp, it just looks like one :p

I’ve actually have seen these in person. They are pretty cool.

Lucky you! I am officially jealous

I am not insects friendly. I just like them in pictures or watching video clips. Wasp is always very dangerous. Once a time it hurts me and I just want to kill it.

If you don't mind then they won't mind you :p

Fascinating creature. Never heard of it though. Interesting how many "mantis hybrid" animals there are, I guess you have heard of the mantis shrimp for example... Seems like every species wants some of those cool abilities / superpowers of the praying mantis :)

@tipu curate 2

I love insects from afar but I don't like when they are close to me...lol
I am always scared of them
I feel they can bite

Does it $FART ?

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you are right it is an amazing bug!! Well i went camping this weekend but I would have noticed this animal...only found regular annoying yellow jacket wasps!

😆 yeah, wasps are everywhere

this creature is like our dear "ser" trumpman, he may masquerade as a shitposter, but he's actually a genius content creator :) And yes this is a paid endorsement :P

😂