Meropeidae
Guides
Merope
earwigfly, forcepfly
Merope is a genus of scorpionflies (Mecoptera) in the family Meropeidae, commonly known as earwigflies or forcepflies. The genus contains Merope tuber, the only living member of Meropeidae in North America. Males possess large segmented forceps-like cerci that resemble the pincers of earwigs. The family is exceptionally rare, with only three extant species described worldwide, and the immature stages remain unknown to science.
Merope tuber
forcepfly, earwigfly
Merope tuber is the sole species in the genus Merope and the only living member of the family Meropeidae in North America. The species occurs in eastern North America from Ontario to Georgia and west to Kansas, with recent records from Florida. Adults are nocturnal and secretive, rarely encountered due to their ground-dwelling habits. The species is notable for the large genital forceps present on male abdomens, which resemble the cerci of earwigs. Immature stages remain unknown, and much of the species' biology is poorly understood.