Scorpionfly
Guides
Brachypanorpa
short-nosed scorpionfly
Brachypanorpa is a genus of scorpionflies in the family Panorpodidae, containing five described species distributed in a disjunct pattern across eastern North America and the Pacific Northwest. The genus exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in mouthpart morphology: females possess elongated mouthparts adapted for feeding on subcortical fluids, while males have shorter mouthparts. Larvae develop within decaying wood, functioning as decomposers in forest ecosystems.
Brachypanorpa carolinensis
short-nosed scorpionfly
Brachypanorpa carolinensis, commonly known as the short-nosed scorpionfly, is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpodidae. The species is endemic to eastern North America. It is one of several species in the genus Brachypanorpa, which are characterized by their reduced wing venation and short rostrum compared to other scorpionflies.
Brachypanorpa sacajawea
Brachypanorpa sacajawea is a species of short-faced scorpionfly in the family Panorpodidae, described by George Byers in 1990. It belongs to a genus characterized by reduced wing venation and abbreviated rostrums compared to other mecopterans. The species is known from a small number of observations in western North America. Like other Panorpodidae, adults are likely non-feeding or feed sparingly, with larvae presumed to be detritivores in soil or leaf litter.
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.
Panorpa
scorpionflies, common scorpionflies
Panorpa is the largest and most widespread genus of scorpionflies (family Panorpidae), comprising approximately 260 described species as of 2018. These insects are characterized by the male's enlarged, scorpion-like genital claspers that curl upward at the abdomen tip. The genus is primarily distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, with notable absence from western North America. Both larvae and adults are scavengers that feed on dead or dying arthropods, playing important roles in nutrient cycling and forensic entomology. Several species, particularly P. vulgaris and P. nuptialis, have become model organisms for studying sexual selection and nuptial gift behavior.
Panorpa acuta
Sharp Scorpionfly, Common Scorpionfly
Panorpa acuta is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, found in North America. It is one of the common scorpionflies in the region. The species exhibits the characteristic features of the genus Panorpa, including an elongated rostrum and, in males, enlarged genital claspers that resemble a scorpion's stinger. Like other scorpionflies, it undergoes complete metamorphosis with larvae living in soil and leaf litter.
Panorpa americana
common scorpionfly
Panorpa americana is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, commonly known as the common scorpionfly. It is distributed across North America. The species belongs to an order characterized by elongated rostrums and, in males, genital claspers that curve upward resembling a scorpion's stinger. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with moist woodland habitats, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented in available sources.
Panorpa anomala
common scorpionfly
Panorpa anomala is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, first described by Carpenter in 1931. It occurs in North America, where it inhabits moist wooded environments. As a member of the genus Panorpa, it shares the characteristic elongated rostrum and upturned male genitalia that give scorpionflies their common name.
Panorpa banksi
Banks's Scorpionfly
Panorpa banksi is a small scorpionfly species in the family Panorpidae, native to North America. It is notable for being the smallest of three sympatric Panorpa species studied in Michigan, with lower fecundity than its congeners. The species exhibits temporal partitioning, peaking in abundance in early July, earlier than competing species. It occupies drier microhabitats along moisture gradients and feeds primarily on small dead arthropods such as crickets and caterpillars rather than large prey items.
Panorpa banksiana
common scorpionfly
Panorpa banksiana is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, described by Penny & Byers in 1979. Like other members of the genus Panorpa, males possess enlarged, scorpion-like claspers at the tip of the abdomen. The species is found in North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in the available literature.
Panorpa carolinensis
Carolina scorpionfly
Panorpa carolinensis is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, native to North America. Like other scorpionflies, it possesses the characteristic elongated rostrum and, in males, a genital capsule that curves upward resembling a scorpion's stinger. The species was described by Nathan Banks in 1905. Information regarding its specific biology, habitat preferences, and distribution within North America remains limited in published literature.
Panorpa choctaw
common scorpionfly
Panorpa choctaw is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, described by George Byers in 1993. It belongs to the order Mecoptera, a group of insects commonly known as scorpionflies due to the enlarged, upward-curved claspers of males that resemble a scorpion's stinger. The species is found in North America.
Panorpa claripennis
common scorpionfly
Panorpa claripennis is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, commonly known as the common scorpionfly. It is native to North America and has been recorded from the northeastern United States, including Vermont. Like other scorpionflies, males possess enlarged, curved claspers that resemble a scorpion's tail, giving the group its common name. The species undergoes complete metamorphosis with larvae developing in soil and leaf litter.
Panorpa consuetudinis
common scorpionfly
Panorpa consuetudinis is a species of common scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, first described by Snodgrass in 1927. Like other scorpionflies, it belongs to the order Mecoptera, a small group of insects characterized by elongated faces and, in males, genital claspers that curve upward like a scorpion's stinger. The species is found in North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in the available literature.
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.
Panorpa dubitans
Panorpa dubitans is a species of common scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, order Mecoptera. It was described by Carpenter in 1931 and is found in North America. Like other members of the genus Panorpa, it belongs to a group of insects commonly known as scorpionflies due to the enlarged, upturned claspers of males that resemble a scorpion's tail. The species is one of approximately six Panorpa species recorded from Missouri and surrounding regions.
Panorpa ensigera
common scorpionfly
Panorpa ensigera is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, described by Bicha in 1983. It is found in North America and belongs to the order Mecoptera, a group of insects commonly known as scorpionflies due to the enlarged, upward-curved claspers of males that resemble a scorpion's stinger. Like other members of its family, this species likely inhabits moist woodland environments.
Panorpa ferruginea
Panorpa ferruginea is a scorpionfly species in the family Panorpidae, described by George Byers in 1993. Scorpionflies in this genus are characterized by their distinctive elongated rostrum and, in males, a genital capsule that curves upward resembling a scorpion's stinger. The specific epithet "ferruginea" refers to a rusty or reddish-brown coloration. Like other Panorpa species, it is likely associated with moist woodland habitats where adults feed on opportunistic food sources.
Panorpa flexa
common scorpionfly
Panorpa flexa is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, described by Carpenter in 1935. It is found in North America. Scorpionflies in this genus are characterized by the male's enlarged, scorpion-like claspers formed by the external genitalia, and their elongated 'long face' with chewing mandibles at the tip. The larvae develop in soil and leaf litter, scavenging on dead or dying soft-bodied insects.
Panorpa floridana
Florida scorpionfly
Panorpa floridana, the Florida scorpionfly, is a rare endemic species in the family Panorpidae known only from two counties in northern Florida. Described as "cryptic" yet distinctive in appearance, it remained unrecorded for 28 years until its rediscovery in 2010 from a photograph taken at Gold Head Branch State Park in Clay County. The species is considered one of the most geographically restricted scorpionflies in North America.
Panorpa galerita
Hooded Scorpionfly, Common Scorpionfly
Panorpa galerita is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, described by George Byers in 1962. It is found in North America, with records from the northeastern United States including Vermont. As a member of the genus Panorpa, it shares the characteristic elongated rostrum and, in males, enlarged genital claspers that give scorpionflies their common name. The species is part of the diverse Mecoptera order, which includes approximately 600 species worldwide.
Panorpa helena
Helena's Scorpionfly, common scorpionfly
Panorpa helena is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, described by George Byers in 1962. It is one of the most common and widespread scorpionfly species in eastern North America. The species is distinguished by three complete dark bands across its yellow wings and, in males, the presence of an anal horn on the sixth abdominal tergum. Adults are typically encountered in dense, moist forest habitats where they flit nervously through foliage.
Panorpa hispida
A scorpionfly species in the family Panorpidae, described by George Byers in 1993. Like other members of the genus Panorpa, males possess a distinctive genital bulb at the tip of the abdomen that resembles a scorpion's stinger. The specific epithet 'hispida' refers to hairy or bristly characteristics, though precise diagnostic features distinguishing it from congeners are not well documented in available sources.
Panorpa hungerfordi
common scorpionfly
Panorpa hungerfordi is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, described by George Byers in 1973. Like other scorpionflies, it is characterized by the male's enlarged, upward-curved genital claspers that resemble a scorpion's stinger. The species is found in North America and shares the general habits of the genus: adults frequent moist woodland habitats where they scavenge on dead or dying insects. Larvae develop in soil and leaf litter, feeding on soft-bodied invertebrates.
Panorpa insolens
common scorpionfly
Panorpa insolens is a species of common scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, order Mecoptera. It is found in North America. Males possess enlarged, scorpion-like claspers formed from modified external genitalia, a characteristic feature of the genus. The species goes through complete metamorphosis, with larvae living in soil and leaf litter where they scavenge on dead or dying soft-bodied insects.
Panorpa isolata
common scorpionfly
Panorpa isolata is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, first described by Carpenter in 1931. It belongs to the order Mecoptera, a small group of insects commonly known as scorpionflies due to the distinctive upturned abdomen of males. The species is found in North America. Like other members of its genus, it likely inhabits moist woodland environments and exhibits scavenging behavior on dead or dying insects.
Panorpa latipennis
common scorpionfly
Panorpa latipennis is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, a group named for the enlarged, upward-curved claspers of males that resemble a scorpion's stinger. The species occurs in North America, with records from the northeastern United States including Vermont. Like other scorpionflies, it inhabits moist woodland environments and exhibits scavenging behavior. The specific epithet 'latipennis' refers to the broad wings characteristic of this species.
Panorpa lugubris
mourning scorpionfly
Panorpa lugubris, commonly known as the mourning scorpionfly, is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae. It is found in North America and belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive elongated rostra and, in males, genital claspers held in a curved, scorpion-like posture. The specific epithet 'lugubris' (meaning mournful or gloomy) likely refers to its typically dark coloration. Like other members of the genus, adults are typically encountered in moist woodland habitats where they feed on various organic materials.
Panorpa maculosa
common scorpionfly
Panorpa maculosa is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, first described by Hagen in 1861. It is found in North America, where it inhabits moist woodland environments. Like other scorpionflies, it is named for the enlarged, scorpion-like claspers of the male. The species is considered a common member of its genus.
Panorpa mirabilis
common scorpionfly
Panorpa mirabilis is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, described by Carpenter in 1931. It is found in North America. As with other members of the genus Panorpa, it possesses the characteristic elongated rostrum and, in males, a genital bulb that curves upward resembling a scorpion's stinger. The species belongs to an order of insects known for their distinctive morphology and occasional forensic significance as early visitors to carrion.
Panorpa nebulosa
Clouded Scorpionfly
Panorpa nebulosa is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, distributed across North America. It is one of several species in the genus Panorpa found on the continent. Scorpionflies in this family are characterized by their distinctive elongated rostrum and, in males, an upturned abdomen resembling a scorpion's stinger. The species is known to occur in forested habitats, though specific ecological details remain limited in the available literature.
Panorpa neglecta
common scorpionfly
Panorpa neglecta is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae. It is indigenous to North America. Like other scorpionflies, males possess a distinctive upturned abdomen resembling a scorpion's tail. The species is part of a diverse genus with over 350 species worldwide, most occurring in the Northern Hemisphere.
Panorpa palustris
common scorpionfly
Panorpa palustris is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, described by Byers in 1958. The specific epithet 'palustris' refers to its association with marsh or wetland habitats. It is found in North America. Like other scorpionflies, males possess an enlarged, genital bulb at the tip of the abdomen that is held curved upward over the back, resembling a scorpion's stinger.
Panorpa rosemaria
Panorpa rosemaria is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, described by Bicha & Schiff in 2019. As a member of the genus Panorpa, it shares the characteristic "scorpion-like" appearance of males due to enlarged, upturned claspers at the tip of the abdomen. The species is part of the diverse Mecoptera order, which includes approximately 600 species worldwide. Like other scorpionflies, it likely inhabits moist woodland environments and exhibits scavenging behaviors.
Panorpa setifera
common scorpionfly
Panorpa setifera is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, described by Webb in 1974. It belongs to the order Mecoptera, commonly known as scorpionflies due to the enlarged, upturned claspers of males that resemble a scorpion's stinger. The species is found in North America. Like other members of the genus Panorpa, it likely inhabits moist woodland environments where it scavenges on dead or dying soft-bodied insects.
Panorpa speciosa
common scorpionfly
Panorpa speciosa is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, found in North America. As a member of the order Mecoptera, it shares the characteristic elongated rostrum and, in males, the recurved genital segment that gives scorpionflies their common name. The species was described by Carpenter in 1931. Like other Panorpa species, it inhabits moist woodland environments where it likely feeds on dead or dying soft-bodied insects.
Panorpa subfurcata
Forked Scorpionfly
Panorpa subfurcata is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, commonly known as the Forked Scorpionfly. It is found in North America, with distribution records from the United States including Vermont. The species was first described by Westwood in 1846. Like other scorpionflies, males possess enlarged, curved genital claspers that resemble a scorpion's stinger, giving the group its common name. The species is part of the diverse genus Panorpa, which contains numerous North American species that can be challenging to distinguish without examination of male genitalia.
Panorpa submaculosa
common scorpionfly
Panorpa submaculosa is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpidae, first described by Carpenter in 1931. It belongs to the order Mecoptera, a small group of holometabolous insects commonly known as scorpionflies due to the enlarged, upturned claspers of males that resemble a scorpion's stinger. The species is recorded from North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in the available literature. Like other members of the genus Panorpa, it likely inhabits moist woodland environments where adults feed opportunistically and larvae develop in soil and leaf litter.
Panorpa virginica
Virginia scorpionfly
Panorpa virginica is a scorpionfly species in the family Panorpidae, first described by Nathan Banks in 1906. It is one of approximately 30 species of Panorpa occurring in North America. Like other scorpionflies, it belongs to an ancient insect order characterized by distinctive elongated rostra and, in males, genital claspers that curve upward resembling a scorpion's stinger. The species occurs in forested habitats where adults are typically found on vegetation.
Panorpodidae
Short-faced Scorpionflies
Panorpodidae is a small family of scorpionflies containing 13 extant species in two genera. Brachypanorpa is restricted to the eastern and central United States, while Panorpodes occurs in East Asia (Japan, Korea) with one species in California. The family is distinguished from its sister group Panorpidae by notably short jaws, among the shortest of all mecopterans. Larvae possess smooth, glabrous mandibles without molar surfaces, indicating a diet distinct from the carrion-feeding larvae of related families.