1920s; earliest use found in Edward Essig (b. 1884). From scientific Latin Mantispidae, family name (J. O. Westwood Introd. Mod. Classif. Insects II. 58; compare earlier Mantispides, tribe name) from Mantispa, genus name + -idae.
Definition of mantispid in US English:
mantispid
nounmanˈtɪspɪd
Entomology
A mantis fly.
Origin
1920s; earliest use found in Edward Essig (b. 1884). From scientific Latin Mantispidae, family name (J. O. Westwood Introd. Mod. Classif. Insects II. 58; compare earlier Mantispides, tribe name) from Mantispa, genus name + -idae.