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*** Note: KnowYourInsects.org does its best to include correct identifications of insect photos. It's always possible that we made a mistake, however, so if you see a misidentification, please contact us and we will correct it. Thanks!
Order Mecoptera: the scorpionflies, hangingflies and allies — Examples
Scorpionfly, male, likely Panorpa helena, family Panorpidae (the scorpionflies). □ The male scorpionfly is distinguished from the female by his reproductive structure, seen in this photo at the rear of the abdomen (visible as the reddish “bead” between the wings). To see the variety of scorpionflies in Ohio, along with their wing patterns, click here. Photographed and identified to order by: Kelly McKinne (@gonzonaturalist). Identified to genus by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Black Swamp Bird Observatory, northwestern Ohio, USA. Date: 11 October, 2015. |
Common scorpionfly, male, Panorpa communis, family Panorpidae (the scorpionflies). □ The male scorpionfly curls up the tip of his abdomen in a fashion similar to a scorpion (as shown here), and this is where they get the common name of scorpionfly. Although the abdomen resembles a scorpion’s stinger, there is no sting in the tip of the male’s tail. Photographed by: Volker Arndt. Once it was identified to order by KnowYourInsects.org, Volker Arndt got to work and identified it to species :-) Location: Frankfurt/Main, Germany. Date: 16 June, 2017. Volker says, “The German main-word is called „Schnabelfliege“ (Mecoptera) and the specified word is „Skorpionsfliege“ (Panorpidae).” KnowYourInsects says, „Danke, Volker“! |
Common scorpionfly, male, Panorpa communis, family Panorpidae (the scorpionflies). Photographed by: Volker Arndt. Identified to species by: Volker Arndt. Location: Frankfurt/Main, Germany. Date: 16 June, 2017. Volker says, “In the German Wikipedia, it is written that (sometimes) these insects would steal flies and bees out from spider’s net. It is mentioned, that a scorpionfly would be able to walk inside the net without being attacked by the spider.” |
Common scorpionfly in the genus Panorpa, perhaps the common scorpionfly, Panorpa communis, family Panorpidae (the scorpionflies). □ Three species of scorpionflies within the Panorpa genus are present in England, where this photo was taken. According to NatureSpot.org, it takes a “close examination with a microscope or good hand lens” to tell them apart. Photographed and identified by: Bryan Wenham-Baker. Location: Ivybridge, South Hams, South Devon, England, UK. Date: 29 July, 2018. |
Scorpionfly in the genus Panorpa, perhaps the common scorpionfly, Panorpa communis, family Panorpidae (the scorpionflies). □ See the comment below to see the photographer’s take on this scorpionfly. Photographed and identified by: Bryan Wenham-Baker. Location: Ivybridge, South Hams, South Devon, England, UK. Date: 11 May, 2019. “I think this might be another scorpionfly. But this one is waving to you, Leslie!” Leslie at KnowYourInsects.org says, “Please give it a wave back from me if you see it again. This is one of the insect groups that I rarely see myself in the wild. Such a cool critter!” |
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Photos at the top of this website are by: Leslie Mertz, Ph.D., LMERTZ@nasw.org.
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