The Scorpion Fly (Panorpa Sp.) A brief introduction

[PeterD]

It is now warming up and insect life if now well into its stride this year and to celebrate this I am posting a VERY brief introduction to the Scorpion Fly (Panorpa sp.).

Despite the horrific name attached to these insects, they mainly eat dead animal matter or fruit. The common name is derived from the visual effect of the tip of the male abdomen curving up onto the top abdomen - scorpion like but without the sting.



The female has a much more conventional abdomen.



The Scorpion fly prefers shady areas. It is not a True Fly (Order Diptera) but is a separate order Mecoptera as it has four wings and not two. The real distinguishing feature of species in this order is the downward extension of the head to form a strong beak.



The spotting on the wings varies between species with some not having any spots at all. It is very difficult to separate species and therefore I have only been able to identify these by their family name. There are about 400 known species world-wide with about 30 in Europe. The specimens photographed here are about 10mm long (body).

Comments always welcome and thanks for viewing.

[forester]

Re: The Scorpion Fly (Panorpa Sp.) A brief introduction

Thanks for the name and description, It is always nice to know what the bugs are when doing insect shots.

Richard

[PeterD]

Re: The Scorpion Fly (Panorpa Sp.) A brief introduction

Thanks for the name and description, It is always nice to know what the bugs are when doing insect shots.

Richard

Thanks Richard. I hope this has been helpful.

[Barr1e]

Re: The Scorpion Fly (Panorpa Sp.) A brief introduction

I sit here and learn and must confess amazed too.

I didn't know the fly existed, but I do now.

Thanks so much Peter for some very fine pix and education.

Regards. Barr1e

[PeterD]

Re: The Scorpion Fly (Panorpa Sp.) A brief introduction

I sit here and learn and must confess amazed too.

I didn't know the fly existed, but I do now.

Thanks so much Peter for some very fine pix and education.

Regards. Barr1e

Thank you Barrie. I am pleased this post has been of interest.

[Zuiko]

Re: The Scorpion Fly (Panorpa Sp.) A brief introduction

Hi Peter,

Fantastic sharp, detailed, well composed pictures made all the more fascinating by the natural history of the insect. Top class work in every respect.

[PeterD]

Re: The Scorpion Fly (Panorpa Sp.) A brief introduction

Hi Peter,

Fantastic sharp, detailed, well composed pictures made all the more fascinating by the natural history of the insect. Top class work in every respect.

Thank you John for your very kind comments - greatly appreciated.

[theMusicMan]

Re: The Scorpion Fly (Panorpa Sp.) A brief introduction

WOW, brilliantly informative posting there Peter, thanks for this. It's always superb when one is able to read up about the subject matter in shots. You are very knowledgeable, thanks for sharing this information and these pics. I certainly haven't seen one of these before.

[PeterD]

Re: The Scorpion Fly (Panorpa Sp.) A brief introduction

WOW, brilliantly informative posting there Peter, thanks for this. It's always superb when one is able to read up about the subject matter in shots. You are very knowledgeable, thanks for sharing this information and these pics. I certainly haven't seen one of these before.

Good morning John
Thanks for posting your kind comments. I am enjoying learning from taking images. The Macro world is full of surprises.