From Planet Mantispidae

OK, Mantispidae is a family of insects in the order Neuroptera, but they look like they are from another planet.  Even though they are not related to mantids, "mantis-flies" have a similar arrangement of foreward body parts, with the head and front legs mounted on a stalk-like pronotum.  Looks wierd, but it works for catching and eating other little critters.  Look at the size of the spike on the tibia (that muscular joint of the foreleg).  It must be hard to squirm out of the grasp of this creature.  Another strange thing is those multi-colored eyes.  I have no idea what the advantage of those peepers is; maybe they hypnotize prey!  :^) 

(from my archives a couple of years ago -- never posted this one)