Northern Snow Scorpionfly vs Earwig Scorpionfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Northern Snow Scorpionfly | Earwig Scorpionfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Boreus westwoodi | Merope tuber |
| Order | Mecoptera | Mecoptera |
| Family | Boreidae | Meropeidae |
| Size | 3-4 mm | 10-12 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Omnivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | Northern Europe, Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Data Deficient |
Northern Snow Scorpionfly
A small, dark, flightless scorpionfly that appears on snow in late autumn and early winter. It is glossy black-brown with elongated mouthparts for feeding on mosses. Females have a prominent pointed ovipositor.
Did You Know?
Despite being wingless, this insect can jump short distances using its powerful hind legs to move quickly across snow.
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.
Did You Know?
Merope tuber is so rarely encountered that its biology and ecology remain largely mysterious despite being described over 150 years ago.