Mantidfly - Looks like Praying Mantis and Wasp

This little guy is a mantidfly, and is a wasp mimic. I named him Tyler Durden. Tyler Durden is totally harmless, but looks way awesome. I had him for four days. Tyler is not afraid of anything, you can pick him up and he doesn't even react. I fed him about a half dozen flies before I let him go. I only saw him fly once, and that is when he flew away, never to be seen again.

I have no idea whether this mantidfly was really male or female.

The video was filmed with a Canon SX-20IS. Nothing fancy, but the macro focus on it is great. I found Tyler in my back yard in Provo, UT.

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[dantles]

believe or not, this is first time I see and hear about this bug

[jftnd]

Who else just got this in their recommendations and didnt even know these things existed?

[kasinokaiser]

When you're a mantis looking for love but low-key don't wanna lose your head

[doncualexandru]

I love how this video's got that vibe of a kid coming to you and saying "hey, look at what I've found! Cool, isn't it?"

[xavier]

“Pretty chill too”

*swings at camera*

[one_smol_duck]

Rationally, I understand that he's harmless, but even looking at him through a phone screen, my brains just like "AH WASP GET AWAY."

very effective defense.

[tinovasquez]

01:12 does anyone find it adorable when he's having his lunch? Look at the little guy munching away all happy!!!

[sharenleigh]

I’ve watched this several times and shown it to some of our sons. Have seen one twice in San Antonio in the past week. Love your video and commentary—thanks for sharing!!

[caljeet]

Me: stuck in house, online homework, economy dying, life is falling apart

YouTube: look at this cool bug I found

[murderfacemcmelon]

Funny how into the fly he is. Like he's eating a rack of ribs.

[linajurgensen]

When you cross two different pet races in Wizard 101.

[spthibault]

In 38 years I've never wanted an insect, spider, or anything equivalent pet... you Sir have blown my little mind. He/She is awesome and truly interesting! Bravo on the find!

[KeaveMind]

Omg i love this
I love the kinda clumsy way he walks across your hand and the way he seems to try to grab the camera xDc
Makes him super adorable

[goose]

Imagine having a wasp landing on you and all of the sudden it's head opens up

[SickleYield]

I think she's pretty cute, actually.  Especially at 1:04 when she decides to wash her toes.  With that abdominal proportion it's probably a female, but being unfamiliar with this specific species (and the degree of its mimicry) I couldn't swear to it.

[HelicopterShowdown]

4 days?! That's like a lifelong friendship with a bee-bro! (bee-bro mimic)

[kian]

This video: *exist*
Pokemon fans: allow us to introduce ourselves

[gunnMetal]

It's rare I find a new interesting animal I didn't already know about.

[theminisimmer]

I thought it was scary upon first glance, but the more I look at him this cuter he gets.

[bnkrmike]

looks like mommy mantis has a lot of explaining to do, when she told her son that she got attacked by a wasp back in the days, it was an understatement.