Vegetable Crops Hotline A newsletter for commercial vegetable growers prepared by the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service

Answer to Question from Last Issue (5-7-2020)

May 20, 2020 - Included in Issue: 674

By: Elizabeth Long

What is this insect on my tomato plant? Is it a friend or foe?

Answer: It is a friend! This is a super cool insect, known as a mantispid or ‘mantis fly.’ These insects are predatory and can be found around your garden, farm, or orchard feasting upon soft-bodied insect pests. Also, they are wasp mimics, as you can see from the photo!

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