Mantispilla indica

Mantispilla indica is a rare species of Mantid lacewing that was recently discovered for the first time in Kerala. This 10 mm-long insect belongs to the family of Mantispidae of order Neuroptera, which has four subfamilies. Of the 410 species of Neuroptera, only 17 represented by a single subfamily Mantispinae is found in India
Mantid lacewings are named so because their morphological characteristics are similar to praying mantis of order Mantodea in their raptorial forelegs. They are distinctive because of their net-like wings. The taxonomy of this group is difficult to study because of the short life span of adults or due to very low population density.