Northern Snow Scorpionfly vs European Hangingfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Northern Snow Scorpionfly | European Hangingfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Boreus westwoodi | Bittacus italicus |
| Order | Mecoptera | Mecoptera |
| Family | Boreidae | Bittacidae |
| Size | 3-4 mm | 18-25 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Grasslands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Predators |
| Regions | Northern Europe, Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
European Hangingfly
A delicate predatory insect with long legs that hangs from grass stems and snatches prey with its prehensile hind tarsi. Found in Mediterranean grasslands.
Did You Know?
The prehensile hind tarsi of hangingflies can close like a jackknife, trapping prey in a fraction of a second.