noun
mantidfly; mantispid
Refers to any insect of the family Mantispidae, resembling a small praying mantis with clear wings. Used primarily in biological contexts.
カマキリモドキはカマキリに似ているが、全く別の昆虫だ。
The mantidfly looks like a praying mantis, but it is a completely different insect.
この地域ではカマキリモドキがよく見られる。
Mantidflies are often seen in this region.
カマキリ is a praying mantis (order Mantodea), while カマキリモドキ is a mantidfly (order Neuroptera), a distinct insect that mimics a mantis.
From カマキリ (praying mantis) + モドキ (pseudo, imitation), literally 'false mantis', referring to its mantis-like appearance.