Eastern Hanging Scorpionfly vs Australian Scorpionfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Eastern Hanging Scorpionfly | Australian Scorpionfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bittacus strigosus | Harpobittacus australis |
| Order | Mecoptera | Mecoptera |
| Family | Bittacidae | Bittacidae |
| Size | 20-28 mm wingspan | 18-22 mm |
| Habitat | Meadows | Woodlands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Eastern Hanging Scorpionfly
A North American hangingfly that hunts small insects while dangling from vegetation. Females assess male quality based on the size of prey offered as nuptial gifts.
Did You Know?
Females will only mate with males that offer prey items above a certain size, rejecting males with inadequate gifts.
Australian Scorpionfly
An Australian hangingfly that suspends itself from vegetation and catches prey with its raptorial hind legs. Males present captured prey to females as nuptial gifts.
Did You Know?
Female Australian scorpionflies assess nuptial gifts by tasting the prey — if it is nutritionally poor, they reject the male and fly away.