These are intriguing insects, looking like a cross between a praying mantis and a wasp! Our common species in the Ottawa area is the brown mantisfly, Climaciella brunnea. They are frequently found on milkweeds in July and August, and can be fairly common, although you have to look for them. Often when you find one, you'll find others nearby.
Brown wasp mantidfly (Climaciella brunnea)
Four-spotted mantidfly (Dicromantispa interrupta)
Brown mantidfly (Climaciella brunnea)
Four-spotted mantidfly (Dicromantispa interrupta)
Four-spotted mantidfly (Dicromantispa interrupta)
Four-spotted mantidfly (Dicromantispa interrupta)
Mantidfly (Dicromantispa interruptarca)
Brown mantidfly (Climaciella brunnea)
Brown mantidfly (Climaciella brunnea)
Four-spotted mantidfly (Dicromantispa interrupta)
Four-spotted mantidfly (Dicromantispa interrupta)
Brown mantisfly (Climaciella brunnea)
Brown mantisfly (Climaciella brunnea)
Brown mantisfly (Climaciella brunnea) , a mimic of vespid wasps
Brown mantisfly (Climaciella brunnea) on milkweed
Brown mantidfly (Climaciella brunnea), a mimic of vespid wasps