MECOPTERA: SCORPIONFLIES
Definition
- Head extended downwards as a beak with biting jaws.
- Two pairs of similar wings, or wingless.
- The male has the end of the abdomen resembling that of a scorpion (but not able to sting).
- Complete life cycle: egg, larva, pupa and adult.
How & where they live
- Predators of small invertebrates as both larvae and adult.
- Scorpionflies are widespread and conspicuous in the summer, especially along hedges and woodland margins. However, the Snow flea, which is only 3 mm long and flightless, is active in the winter.
![[Unknown]](/Resources/Buglife/Migrated Resources/Images/Scorpionfly20Panorpa20communis20Jaybee.jpg) |
| Male Common scorpion fly (Panorpa communis)
© Jaybee www.phocus-on.co.uk |
Number of species
- In Britain 4 species (3 scorpionflies and 1 Snow flea).
- Worldwide 500 known species.
It's amazing Male scorpionflies have a bulbous and dangerous-looking sting at the end of their very mobile tail (actually the genitalia); if picked-up the scorpionfly will pretend to sting you or a potential predator - very off-putting!
