← Gallery II · The Orders
No. 17 · Holometabolous
Scorpionflies & Hangingflies
Mecoptera
~750
Described species
~9
Families
Introduction
Despite the appearance, scorpionflies cannot sting. Mecoptera is thought to be the sister group to Siphonaptera (fleas) and Diptera (flies).
Field marks
Key ID traits.
Long beak-like snout (rostrum) with chewing mouthparts at the tip. Males of family Panorpidae have an upturned, bulbous genital capsule resembling a scorpion's stinger (harmless).
Etymology
Greek mecos 'length' + pteron 'wing'
Wings
Variable
Diet
Predator · Detritivore
Habitat
Terrestrial
Notable examples
Common scorpionfly, hangingflies, snow scorpionflies.
Where to look