Empusa pennicornis (Empusidae)

In species of the family Empusaceae, the head has a conical process sticking up, sometimes forked at the end; and the antennae of males are pinnate. Such a characteristic structure of the head gives a unique appearance to the entire head of the empusa. The famous French naturalist Fabre wrote :"There is no stranger creature among the insects of our countries. It's some kind of ghost… Empusa's pointed face doesn't look too cunning – it would be useful for Mephistopheles."
Empuzas are nocturnal. This male horn-winged empusa (Empusa pennicornis) flew into the world to eat moths and flies.
The species is widely distributed in the steppe regions of south-eastern Europe, Near and Central Asia, and southern Western Siberia.

Kazakhstan, 20 km south of Aktobe, June 28, 2007
Nikon D50
Lens: Sigma 50 mm, 2.8 DG Macro D

Pictures:

Empusa_pennicornis_____________.jpg — (137.33к)

This is an alien from the future-the result of further evolution of bombycoidea!

Beautiful sawyers they have!

The same from South-West Kazakhstan:

Pictures:

05_18_Oneri_0430.jpg — (99.99 k)