MECOPTERA > Panorpidae

 

Although this page is specifically for scorpionflies, I should note that the MECOPTERA order includes a further family Boreidae, which is represented in Britain by a single, seldom seen species commonly known as the Snow Flea.

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The Panorpidae scorpionfly family consists of three species in a single genus, Panorpa.

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Scorpionflies are attractive medium-sized (10-15mm body length), fully-winged insects with an elongate body and an unusual head that extends downwards in the form of a 'beak'. The common name comes from the swollen genital capsule of the male, which is recurved over the body giving the appearance of a scorpion's sting. It may look menacing, but is totally harmless. The female's abdomen ends in a straight point, which means that sexes can be easily distinguished.

 

Identification to species is also possible by a combination of features. This is easier with males as long as you have a good close-up view of the genital capsule as the shape of the callipers are distinctive in each species. Similarly with the females by the shape and form of abdominal segments 6-9, although this is somewhat down to interpretation and not so reliable. However, in most cases it's the forewing and hindwing markings that are used, as noted below.

    

Apart from the wing markings the species are very similar in appearance and, certainly in respect of the two common forms, can often be found in close proximity to each other particularly in woodlands where they like to settle on bramble and nettles. 

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The Common Scorpionfly [Panorpa communis], is marginally larger than the other species and has the most heavily marked wings with broad black tips and central merged spots that form a more-or-less continuous band across the wing. The male's callipers curve slightly outwards and are described as () shaped.

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The German or Saxon Scorpionfly [Panorpa germanica], also has black marks around the wing tips, but typically narrower and far less defined. The central wing spots are quite scattered and do not form a band as in Panorpa communis. The male's callipers are short and broad with expanded tips, sort of ii shaped.

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The Scarce Scorpionfly [Panorpa cognata] (not featured) is a very localised species that, according to the NBN Atlas, hasn't been recorded in Dorset in the past 30 years! It has a fairly consistent pattern of sparse wing markings with the merged central spots only reaching midway across the wing. The male's callipers are long and slender, diverging at the tips to form a narrow V shape.

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