Scorpion Fly (Panorpa sp.) male – These are fairly big flies, and they just love to hang around on low vegetation. Double-click for a closer look.
Copyright: Peter Hillman
Camera used: Nikon D7200
Date taken: 16th July 2019
Place: Local field, Staffordshire
Following on from a previous post, today I came across another one of these impressive insects. Note the genitalia of the male how it curls back and looks like a scorpion’s tale. However, this tail does not sting.
Click once to expand view, click again to get that little bit closer
June 2018, near local river, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman.
The title says it all 🙂
Click once to expand view, click again to get that little bit closer
May 2018, near local river, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman. Sigma 18-300mm lens.
I find these to be quite a stunning insect to look at. They belong to an order of insects called Mecoptera. There are less than a handful of species in Britain, and they can be awkward to tell apart. The above image is that of the female. The males have large bulbous genitalia, which looks kind of similar to the stinger of a scorpion, hence the English name. Although they look like they might sting, these flies do not.
I always find these Scorpionflies a challenge to photographs because they do not hang around for long once they sense you are near, unless you can get them from long-range. I got fairly close to this one which was resting on vegetation by the local river before she flew off.
Taken July 2017.
Please click on an image for a larger more detailed view. Clicking a second time may get you a little closer.
The males have an upturned bulbous and sting-like tail, hence why they are called scorpion flies, yet they do not sting. The female has a tapering tail, and both sexes tend to have fewer spots on their wings compared to Panorpa communis which is very similar. Genitalia examination will accurately confirm either species. Body length 10 to 15mm.
Mating usually occurs at night and be quite dangerous for the male. The female may kill him if things don’t go well, so he gives her a drop of saliva as a present to try to please her before mating is attempted. Feeds on dead and dying insects and other invertebrates. They have a crafty way of stealing spider victims wrapped in silk from their webs without getting caught themselves.
Flies May to September. Found in hedgerows and woodland, shady places almost everywhere. Often found resting on vegetation. Common and widespread throughout the UK.
Photograph of Panorpa germanica male, taken June 2013, local pool, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2013. Camera used Nikon Coolpix P500.
The males have an upturned bulbous and sting-like tail, hence why they are called scorpion flies, yet they do not sting. The heads have a beak-like appearance, and their wings have slight variations in pattern which aid in distinguishing the 3 UK species which can be difficult to tell apart. Panorpa communis tends to be more heavily spotted. Body length 17 to 20mm.
Mating usually occurs at night and can be quite dangerous for the male. The female may kill him if things don’t go well, so he gives her a drop of saliva as a present to try and please her before mating is attempted. They feed on dead and dying insects and other invertebrates. They have a crafty way of stealing spider victims wrapped in silk from their webs without getting caught themselves.
Flies May to September. Found in hedgerows and woodland. Often found resting on vegetation in shady places. Common and widespread throughout the UK.
Photographs of Common Scorpionfly (Panorpa communis) male and female, taken June 2013, local pool, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2013. Camera used Nikon Coolpix P500.
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