Helicopter Metalmark vs Earwig Scorpionfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Helicopter Metalmark	Earwig Scorpionfly
Scientific Name	Chorinea octauius	Merope tuber
Order	Lepidoptera	Mecoptera
Family	Riodinidae	Meropeidae
Size	35-45 mm wingspan	10-12 mm
Habitat	Forests	Forests
Diet	Nectar Feeders	Detritivores
Regions	South America	North America
Conservation	Least Concern	Data Deficient

Helicopter Metalmark

Transparent forewings with red and black hindwing tails that twirl in flight. The spinning tails create a helicopter-like effect.

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Did You Know?

The elongated hindwing tails rotate during flight, resembling helicopter blades.

Earwig Scorpionfly

An extremely rare and primitive scorpionfly with forcep-like cerci reminiscent of earwigs. It is nocturnal and found in leaf litter of old-growth eastern North American forests.

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Did You Know?

Merope tuber is so rarely encountered that its biology and ecology remain largely mysterious despite being described over 150 years ago.