identification Help!

[Pierre Zagatti]

Michelle Sexton wrote:
> 
> I found a wasp today with the head and pinchers of a praying mantis, and
> the wings, thorax, and body of a mud dobber wasp. It is the most bizzar
> creature. Has anyone ever seen or heard of anything like this. Is it a type
> of wasp or is there a remote possibility that this is a cross between
> species? I have the wasp in a bottle, but don't have any pictures as of
> yet. Please let me know where I can go for information on this most odd
> find. Wayne
> Post or Email me at msexton at pdqnet.net

Your insect is a not a wasp, it is a mantispid (Neuroptera Mantispidae). 
These uncommon insects are predators and their larvae are parasitic 
of spiders.

Have a look at:

http://www.cnr.berkeley.edu/explore/Taxa/Neuroptera/Mantispidae/FamilyMantispidaeIdentification.htm


-- 
Pierre ZAGATTI
INRA Unite de Phytopharmacie et Mediateurs Chimiques
78026 Versailles Cedex
FRANCE
Tel: (33) 1 30 83 31 18
e-mail zagatti at versailles.inra.fr
http://www.jouy.inra.fr/papillon/