Hangingfly
Guides
Apterobittacus
Apterobittacus is a genus of hangingflies in the family Bittacidae, established by MacLachlan in 1893. The genus contains a single described species, A. apterus. Hangingflies (Bittacidae) are predatory insects characterized by their habit of hanging from vegetation using their forelegs while capturing prey with their mid- and hind legs. The genus name "Apterobittacus" references the reduced or absent wings ("apterus" = wingless) that distinguishes this group from other bittacids.
Bittacus
hangingfly, hanging fly
Bittacus is a genus of hangingflies (Mecoptera: Bittacidae) characterized by their distinctive habit of hanging from vegetation using their modified forelegs. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution and has existed since at least the Late Cretaceous. Bittacus is currently considered grossly paraphyletic, serving as a catch-all taxon for many distantly related hangingfly species. Members are predatory insects with specialized raptorial mid- and hindlegs used for capturing arthropod prey.
Bittacus occidentis
Western Hangingfly
Bittacus occidentis is a species of hangingfly in the family Bittacidae, first described by Francis Walker in 1853. Hangingflies are predatory insects characterized by their distinctive habit of hanging from vegetation using their elongated forelegs. This species occurs in North America. Members of the genus Bittacus are recognized for their elongated bodies and two pairs of membranous wings.
Bittacus punctiger
Brown Spotted Hanging-fly
Bittacus punctiger is a species of hangingfly in the family Bittacidae, commonly known as the Brown Spotted Hanging-fly. It is found in North America. Hangingflies are predatory insects that capture prey with their raptorial hind legs while suspended from vegetation by their forelegs. The specific epithet 'punctiger' refers to spotted or punctate markings.
Bittacus stigmaterus
Say's Hanging-fly
Bittacus stigmaterus is a North American hangingfly in the family Bittacidae, commonly known as Say's Hanging-fly. The species exhibits elaborate courtship behavior in which males capture arthropod prey and present them to females as nuptial gifts. Females exercise mate choice based on prey size, with larger gifts increasing male mating success. Males also engage in kleptoparasitism, stealing prey gifts from rival males.
Bittacus texanus
Texas hangingfly
Bittacus texanus is a species of hangingfly in the family Bittacidae, described by Banks in 1908. Like other members of its family, this insect is characterized by its distinctive hanging posture, grasping the substrate with its front legs while the remaining four legs dangle freely. The species is found in North America, with records from both the United States and Mexico. Hangingflies are predatory insects related to scorpionflies, representing an ancient lineage of holometabolous insects.
Mecoptera
Scorpionflies, Hangingflies, Snow scorpionflies
Mecoptera is a small order of holometabolous insects comprising approximately 600 extant species in nine families worldwide. The group includes scorpionflies (Panorpidae), hangingflies (Bittacidae), and snow scorpionflies (Boreidae). Males of the largest family, Panorpidae, possess enlarged genital structures that resemble scorpion stingers, giving the group its common name. The order exhibits close phylogenetic relationships with Siphonaptera (fleas) and Diptera (true flies), with some studies suggesting fleas may be derived from within Mecoptera, rendering the order potentially paraphyletic. Modern mecopterans are primarily found in moist environments, though the Boreidae are adapted to cold montane regions where adults walk on snowfields.