common scorpionflies
(Panorpa spp.)
Overview • Description • Distribution • Taxonomy
Overview |
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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. |
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Description |
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Panorpa are moderate-sized scorpionflies. Adults are slender and range from ⅜″ 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. |
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Distribution |
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| 10/3/2022 | ||||
Taxonomy |
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Order |
Mecoptera (scorpionflies and hangingflies) | ||
Family |
Panorpidae (common scorpionflies) | ||
| Subfamily | Panorpinae | ||
Subordinate Taxa |
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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) |
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Synonyms |
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Common Names |
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This genus has no common name. The common name for the family Panorpidae is common scorpionflies, and it is applied here for convenience. |
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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 |
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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. |
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Alfredo Colon |
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Female |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
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| Scorpionfly (Genus Panorpa) Andree Reno Sanborn |
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Visitor Videos |
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Other Videos |
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| Scorpionfly - female and male (Mecoptera Panorpidae Panorpa) Nature in Motion |
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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/ |
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Visitor Sightings |
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Report a sighting of this insect. |
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| This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Be sure to include a location. |
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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. |
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| Alfredo Colon 8/20/2019 |
Location: Woodbury, Minnesota |
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| Alfredo Colon 8/16 to 8/18/2019 |
Location: Slinger, Wisconsin |
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| Alfredo Colon 8/15/2019 |
Location: Woodbury, Minnesota |
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| Alfredo Colon 8/14/2019 |
Location: Woodbury, Minnesota |
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| Alfredo Colon 8/13/2019 |
Location: Woodbury, Minnesota |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Created: 2/10/2020
Last Updated: