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Scorpionfly

Panorpa communis

1 photo

1 photographer

·Common · 1 pts

Long-faced insect; males have a scorpion-like tail tip used in courtship.

1 community photo of Scorpionfly on Things With Wings. Top-rated shots often use around 1/500ss shutter, 300mm.

Species Profile

Not evaluated for UK conservation status; locally common and not of conservation concern

Lifespan: 4–6 weeks as adults; the entire life cycle from egg to death takes approximately 2–3 months
Size & Weight: 12–15 mm body length; wingspan approximately 25–30 mm
Habitat: Damp woodland edges, hedgerows, shaded gardens, and areas with nettle and bramble vegetation, typically in cool, humid conditions
UK Distribution: Found throughout England, Wales, and southern Scotland; resident species present from May through autumn, with populations peaking in summer and early autumn
Diet: Omnivorous; feeds on dead insects, pollen, nectar, and rotting vegetation; also predates small living insects and mites
Prey: Small insects, mites, aphids, and dead arthropods; also nectar and pollen when available
Predators: Spiders, robber flies, ground beetles, and some birds such as flycatchers and warblers
Mating Season: June to September, with peak mating activity in July and August
Breeding: Females lay eggs singly or in small groups in soil or leaf litter; eggs hatch within 7–10 days; nymphs develop through multiple instars over 4–6 weeks before reaching adulthood
Behaviour: Scorpionflies are most active in dull, humid weather and rest among vegetation during bright sunshine. They have a characteristic downward-pointing rostrum (false scorpion-like tail) used for feeding, though they are entirely harmless. Males perform elaborate mating dances and courtship feeding with potential mates.

Did You Know?

•Despite their name and threatening appearance, scorpionflies are completely harmless and cannot sting or bite humans
•The males' downward-pointing head appendage is a feeding rostrum, not a sting, and is used to extract food from crevices and dead insects
•Males present nuptial gifts of saliva or regurgitated food to females during courtship, which influences mating success
•Panorpa communis is the most widespread and common scorpionfly species in the UK and northern Europe
•They are bioindicators of healthy woodland and hedgerow ecosystems due to their sensitivity to habitat disturbance and pesticide use

Easily Confused With

Panorpa germanica — Panorpa germanica has darker wing markings and a distinctly longer rostrum; it is rarer and more localised in southern England
Panorpa vulgaris — Panorpa vulgaris is smaller with clearer, more contrasting wing patterns and appears earlier in the season (April–May)

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Shutter

1/500ss

ISO Range

400

Aperture

f/f/5.6

Focal Length

300mm

🐛 Scorpionfly

Insect

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