Any of various predatory flying insects of the family Mantispidae (order Neuroptera), resembling mantids in having an elongated thorax and large, spined, raptorial front legs; a mantispid.
Origin
Early 20th century; earliest use found in Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Definition of mantis fly in US English:
mantis fly
noun
Any of various predatory flying insects of the family Mantispidae (order Neuroptera), resembling mantids in having an elongated thorax and large, spined, raptorial front legs; a mantispid.
Origin
Early 20th century; earliest use found in Encyclopaedia Britannica.