Is it a mantid, a wasp, or a fly? Answer: none of the above. This is a Wasp Mantidfly (
Climaciella brunnea), which is more closely related to a green lacewing than any of its namesakes. Although this picture is featured on Iowa Voices, it was taken in Illinois.
Link -Thanks, Matt!
I ran into a couple of these while hiking around in mid-Missouri today. Almost got some good photos, but failed.
Now that I know of 'em, I'll put more effort into photographic said funky wasps tomorrow (last day in the midwest).