Scorpionflies
Order Mecoptera
Named for the males upturned abdomen tip that resembles a scorpion stinger but is harmless. They are considered among the most primitive holometabolous insects.
Species in this Order (12)
American Scorpionfly
Panorpa nuptialis
A large scorpionfly found in the southeastern United States with prominent wing spots. Males engage ...
Australian Scorpionfly
Harpobittacus australis
An Australian hangingfly that suspends itself from vegetation and catches prey with its raptorial hi...
Common Scorpionfly
Panorpa communis
Males have a bulbous upturned abdomen tip that resembles a scorpion stinger but is actually their ge...
Earwig Scorpionfly
Merope tuber
An extremely rare and primitive scorpionfly with forcep-like cerci reminiscent of earwigs. It is noc...
Eastern Hanging Scorpionfly
Bittacus strigosus
A North American hangingfly that hunts small insects while dangling from vegetation. Females assess ...
European Hangingfly
Bittacus italicus
A delicate predatory insect with long legs that hangs from grass stems and snatches prey with its pr...
German Scorpionfly
Panorpa germanica
A scorpionfly with bold wing markings found in shaded woodland habitats across central Europe. Like ...
Japanese Scorpionfly
Panorpa japonica
A scorpionfly common in Japanese forests with spotted wings and a distinctive reddish-brown body. It...
North American Snow Scorpionfly
Boreus californicus
A small dark wingless scorpionfly found in mountainous regions of western North America. It is activ...
Northern Snow Scorpionfly
Boreus westwoodi
A small, dark, flightless scorpionfly that appears on snow in late autumn and early winter. It is gl...
Short-Faced Scorpionfly
Panorpodes paradoxus
An unusual scorpionfly with a shorter rostrum than typical Panorpa species, found in East Asian fore...
Snow Scorpionfly
Boreus hyemalis
A tiny wingless scorpionfly active in winter, walking on snow near mossy habitats. Its vestigial win...