Common Scorpionflies

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Panorpidae: /pænˈɔːrpɪdiː/

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Summary

The Panorpidae, or common scorpionflies, are a diverse family within the order Mecoptera, characterized by their distinct bulbous male genital segment and scavenging lifestyle. They inhabit various environments and play a key role in decomposing organic matter as larvae.

Physical Characteristics

Body length 9-25 mm; four membranous wings; threadlike antennae; elongated faces with mouthparts used for feeding on dead and dying insects, nectar, and rotting fruit.

Identification Tips

The common name is derived from the bulbous and often curved genital segment of males, resembling a scorpion's sting.

Habitat

Low shrubs and ground cover in densely-vegetated woodlands, often near water or wet seeps; also found in grasslands, cultivated fields, and forest margins.

Distribution

North America to Mexico and throughout Eurasia.

Diet

Adults feed mostly on dead or dying insects, rarely on fruit or nectar; larvae are scavengers, feeding on soft-bodied dead insects.

Life Cycle

Eggs are laid in the soil; newly-hatched larvae feed for a month or more, passing through 4 instars, then prepare a cavity in the soil for a resting stage lasting about 5 weeks; larvae then enter the pupal stage, lasting 2 or 3 weeks or several months depending on species.

Reproduction

Mating begins with the male offering food, such as a dead insect, and emitting pheromones; male grasps female’s abdomen, and mating occurs as the female feeds.

Ecosystem Role

Scavengers in their larval stages, playing a role in nutrient cycling by consuming dead insects.

Evolution

The Panorpidae family contains over 480 species and is the most speciose group of Mecoptera, covering approximately 70% of the species in the order.

Tags

• Mecoptera
• scorpionflies
• Panorpidae
• insect
• scavengers