Short-Faced Scorpionfly vs Macrosoma lucivittata

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Short-Faced Scorpionfly	Macrosoma lucivittata
Scientific Name	Panorpodes paradoxus	Macrosoma lucivittata
Order	Mecoptera	Lepidoptera
Family	Panorpodidae	Hedylidae
Size	10-14 mm	32-42 mm wingspan
Habitat	Forests	Forests
Diet	Pollen Feeders	Omnivores
Regions	Asia	Central America, South America
Conservation	Least Concern	Least Concern

Short-Faced Scorpionfly

An unusual scorpionfly with a shorter rostrum than typical Panorpa species, found in East Asian forests. It feeds primarily on nectar and pollen.

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Unlike most scorpionflies that scavenge dead insects, this species has evolved a shortened face for feeding primarily on flower nectar.

Moth-butterfly with pale wings bearing a translucent vitreous stripe. One of the more distinctive hedylid species.

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The glass-like wing stripe may function in crypsis by breaking up the wing outline at night.