Panorpa insolens
Carpenter, 1935
common scorpionfly
Panorpa insolens is a of common scorpionfly in the Panorpidae, order Mecoptera. It is found in North America. Males possess enlarged, -like claspers formed from modified external genitalia, a characteristic feature of the . The species goes through complete , with larvae living in soil and leaf litter where they scavenge on dead or dying soft-bodied insects.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Panorpa insolens: //pəˈnɔr.pə ˈɪn.soʊ.lɛnz//
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Distribution
North America
Life Cycle
Complete . Larvae live in soil and leaf litter, passing through four instars before pupating in an earthen chamber in the soil.
Similar Taxa
- Panorpa helenaBoth are common, widespread North American scorpionflies in the Panorpa with yellow-banded wings; P. helena is distinguished by three complete bands across yellow wings and presence of an anal horn on the sixth abdominal in males, but examination of male genitalia is required for definitive identification.
- Panorpa nuptialisAnother North American Panorpa ; P. nuptialis has been documented as an early-arriving species on human cadavers in studies, feeding on autopsy fluids.