Animal-communication
Guides
Panorpa debilis
common scorpionfly
Panorpa debilis is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, found in North America. The species has been documented exhibiting a novel wing-flashing behavior that appears to function primarily for intraspecific competition rather than mate attraction. Both sexes engage in wing-flashing, with females directing most signals toward other females. The behavior is also directed at potentially competitive arthropods such as harvestmen (Leiobunum spp.). This species has been suggested as a useful model for studying animal communication and signaling.