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Scorpionfly

Panorpa sp.

Photo by Dan Doucette
Published on Project Noah
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45.8008, -78.687

Field Notes

Description:

Their elongated faces terminate with jaws that are used to feed on dead and dying insects, nectar, and rotting fruit. While in larvae form, they scavenge by consuming dead insects on ground.

Habitat:

temperate forest

Notes:

I saw this on a bush in Algonquin. I was lucky to get a shot before it flew away. It was the first time I've seen this type of fly.
This belongs to the largest family of scopionflies, Panorpidae, in which the males have enlarged genitals that look similar to the stinger of a scorpion.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)

Thanks. You have a lot of nice close shots. What camera/lense are you using?
Photographed
PublishedJuly 19, 2011

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