Short-Faced Scorpionfly vs North American Snow Scorpionfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Short-Faced Scorpionfly	North American Snow Scorpionfly
Scientific Name	Panorpodes paradoxus	Boreus californicus
Order	Mecoptera	Mecoptera
Family	Panorpodidae	Boreidae
Size	10-14 mm	3-5 mm
Habitat	Forests	Mountains
Diet	Pollen Feeders	Omnivores
Regions	Asia	North 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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Did You Know?

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

North American Snow Scorpionfly

A small dark wingless scorpionfly found in mountainous regions of western North America. It is active during winter months on moss-covered substrates.

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Did You Know?

These insects produce antifreeze compounds in their hemolymph that allow them to remain active at subzero temperatures.