Common Scorpionfly vs American Scorpionfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Scorpionfly | American Scorpionfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Panorpa communis | Panorpa nuptialis |
| Order | Mecoptera | Mecoptera |
| Family | Panorpidae | Panorpidae |
| Size | 9-15 mm body | 18-25 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Woodlands |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Southeastern United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Scorpionfly
Males have a bulbous upturned abdomen tip that resembles a scorpion stinger but is actually their genitalia and is completely harmless. Males offer nuptial gifts of saliva or dead insects.
Did You Know?
Male scorpionflies bring wedding presents — they offer females gifts of dead insects or secreted saliva droplets. Males with better gifts get longer mating opportunities.
American Scorpionfly
A large scorpionfly found in the southeastern United States with prominent wing spots. Males engage in elaborate courtship rituals involving nuptial gifts.
Did You Know?
This species was key to discovering that nuptial gift-giving in scorpionflies helps males avoid being eaten by females.