Blowfly Maggots

[Silkmoth]

Those are mantis-flies.

[JeffreH]

Yes, Mantispids = Mantis flies. I wasn't suggesting they are related (note post #12, sorry if I wasn't very clear), but I thought their similar morphology to mantids might still draw interest from mantis enthusiasts. Figured a mantis keeper would know better than anyone as to if they are ever kept in captivity. I think they are very interesting, but their life histories in larval stages would make them a challenge to culture I think...

I'll be looking out for them next Spring-Summer; never have seen one but they are a family I'd like to try to rear and/or add to my pinned collection.

On a side note Silkmoth: I'll likely pick your brain sometime about mantids. I think next Spring I'll try to pick up a few more interesting/exotic species to keep around for fun =)

[Silkmoth]

I dont know who keeps mantisflies, Ive not heard of any on Mantid forum. If you want a pet mantis there are breeders who have them avaliable now. Ghosts are a great beginner, and a dozen other kinds too. I would join mantidforum to learn as much as possible to help you keep them. Its just like frogforum but alittle simpler. Like here mf has some amazing people.
We also have a calender. We are voting for the cover right now!