common scorpionflies

(Panorpa spp.)

Overview
common scorpionfly (Panorpa sp.)
Photo by Alfredo Colon
 

Panorpa is a diverse genus of common scorpionflies. There are about 260 species worldwide, 54 species in North America north of Mexico, and at least 12 species in Minnesota. It occurs in Europe, in Asia, in Mexico, and in eastern United States and adjacent Canadian provinces. It is fairly common in eastern Minnesota, where it is at the western extent of its range. Larvae feed on dead insects and other organic material. They live in burrows in the ground, coming out only to hunt for insect prey. Adults are found in moist deciduous woodlands on vegetation near the ground. They feed mostly on dead or dying insects, sometimes also on fruits and nectar.

 
           
 
Description
 
 

Panorpa are moderate-sized scorpionflies. Adults are slender and range from to 1 (9 to 25 mm) long. Most have tan bodies and are ½ to ¾ (12 to 20 mm) in length. The wings are clear with black spots and bands and with many cross-veins. They are held swept back but widely separated when at rest. On the male the genitalia are large and bulbous. They curve upward and forward at the tip of the abdomen, resembling a scorpion. On the female the abdomen is straight and tapers to a slender tip. The antennae are long and thread-like. The face is extremely elongated downward into a long snout. The legs are long and slender. The last part of the leg (tarsus), corresponding to the foot, has two claws. The larva resembles a caterpillar.

 
     
 
Distribution
 
 

Distribution Map

 

Sources

7, 24, 27, 29, 30, 82.

 
  10/3/2022      
         
 
Taxonomy
 
 

Order

Mecoptera (scorpionflies and hangingflies)  
 

Family

Panorpidae (common scorpionflies)  
  Subfamily Panorpinae  
       
 

Subordinate Taxa

 
 

common scorpionfly (Panorpa anomala)

common scorpionfly (Panorpa banksi)

common scorpionfly (Panorpa claripennis)

common scorpionfly (Panorpa galerita)

common scorpionfly (Panorpa insolens)

common scorpionfly (Panorpa nebulosa)

common scorpionfly (Panorpa setifera)

common scorpionfly (Panorpa sigmoides)

common scorpionfly (Panorpa speciosa)

common scorpionfly (Panorpa subfurcata)

common scorpionfly (Panorpa submaculosa)

Helen’s scorpionfly (Panorpa helena)

 
       
 

Synonyms

 
 

 

 
       
 

Common Names

 
 

This genus has no common name. The common name for the family Panorpidae is common scorpionflies, and it is applied here for convenience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glossary

Tarsus

On insects, the last two to five subdivisions of the leg, attached to the tibia; the foot. On spiders, the last segment of the leg. Plural: tarsi.

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Visitor Photos
 
           
 

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Babette Kis

 
 

Panorpa sp. with prey (common scorpionfly)

… a common scorpionfly with prey, taken along a weedy path at Barnes Prairie hedgerow, Racine Co., WI on July 2, 2021.

  common scorpionfly (Panorpa sp.)  
           
        common scorpionfly (Panorpa sp.)  
 

Alfredo Colon

 
 

Male

 
    common scorpionfly (Panorpa sp.)   common scorpionfly (Panorpa sp.)  
           
    common scorpionfly (Panorpa sp.)   common scorpionfly (Panorpa sp.)  
           
 

Female

 
    common scorpionfly (Panorpa sp.)   common scorpionfly (Panorpa sp.)  
           
    common scorpionfly (Panorpa sp.)   common scorpionfly (Panorpa sp.)  
           
    common scorpionfly (Panorpa sp.)   common scorpionfly (Panorpa sp.)  
           
    common scorpionfly (Panorpa sp.)   common scorpionfly (Panorpa sp.)  
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
 
 

 

 
           

 

Camera

     
 
Slideshows
 
Scorpionfly (Genus Panorpa)
Andree Reno Sanborn
  Scorpionfly (Genus Panorpa)  

 

slideshow

       
 
Visitor Videos
 
       
 

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Other Videos
 
  Scorpionfly - female and male (Mecoptera Panorpidae Panorpa)
Nature in Motion
 
   
 
About

Dec 4, 2016

The first clip shows the female and the rest show the male. I tried to identify the species group, but could not be confident enough to include. I learned that Scorpionflies are difficult to find, difficult to photograph and difficult to identify to the species group. They are differentiated by the male genitalia and my footage isn't quite clear enough for my level of experience. Filmed in the Missouri Ozarks (USA). Mecoptera (Scorpionflies, Hangingflies and Allies) » Panorpidae (Common Scorpionflies) » Panorpa

Music: Cartoon Pizzicato - Comedy by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://incompetech.com/

 

 

Camcorder

 
 
Visitor Sightings
 
           
 

Report a sighting of this insect.

 
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  Babette Kis
7/2/2021

Location: Barnes Prairie hedgerow, Racine Co., WI

… a common scorpionfly with prey, taken along a weedy path at Barnes Prairie hedgerow, Racine Co., WI on July 2, 2021.

common scorpionfly (Panorpa sp.)  
  Alfredo Colon
8/20/2019

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

common scorpionfly (Panorpa sp.)  
  Alfredo Colon
8/16 to 8/18/2019

Location: Slinger, Wisconsin

common scorpionfly (Panorpa sp.)  
  Alfredo Colon
8/15/2019

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

common scorpionfly (Panorpa sp.)  
  Alfredo Colon
8/14/2019

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

common scorpionfly (Panorpa sp.)  
  Alfredo Colon
8/13/2019

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

common scorpionfly (Panorpa sp.)  
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings
 
   

 

 

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Created: 2/10/2020

Last Updated:

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