Panorpa lugubris
(Swederus, 1787)
mourning scorpionfly
Panorpa lugubris, commonly known as the mourning , is a of scorpionfly in the Panorpidae. It is found in North America and belongs to a characterized by distinctive elongated rostra and, in males, genital claspers held in a curved, -like posture. The specific epithet 'lugubris' (meaning mournful or gloomy) likely refers to its typically dark coloration. Like other members of the genus, are typically encountered in moist woodland where they feed on various organic materials.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Panorpa lugubris: /pæˈnɔr.pə luˈɡu.brɪs/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Habitat
Moist woodland environments, particularly dense forests with abundant ground cover and decaying organic matter.
Distribution
North America.
Similar Taxa
- Panorpa helenaAnother common North American in the same , distinguished by wing pattern details and male genitalia ; P. lugubris typically has darker, more uniform coloration consistent with its 'mourning' .
- Panorpa nuptialisA related documented in studies as an early visitor to cadavers; differs in distribution and specific preferences.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- Catalogue of Life
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