German Scorpionfly vs European Stylops

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute German Scorpionfly European Stylops
Scientific Name Panorpa germanica Stylops melittae
Order Mecoptera Strepsiptera
Family Panorpidae Stylopidae
Size 12-16 mm 2.0-4.0 mm (males)
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Carrion Feeders Parasites
Regions Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

German Scorpionfly

A scorpionfly with bold wing markings found in shaded woodland habitats across central Europe. Like other Panorpa species, it has a distinctive elongated face.

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Did You Know?

German scorpionflies frequently steal prey from spider webs, delicately plucking trapped insects without becoming ensnared themselves.

European Stylops

A twisted-wing parasite of mining bees in the genus Andrena. Males are free-flying while females remain permanently embedded in the host bee.

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Did You Know?

The female never leaves her host bee and only her brood canal opening protrudes between the bee's abdominal segments.