Common Scorpionfly | Hainault Forest

Common Scorpionfly

Panorpa communis

TQ4793 25/05/2022 ©Raymond Small

Scorpionflies are so-called because the male has a reproductive organ at the end of the body that looks similar to a scorpion's tail. Despite appearances it is not a stinger and is totally harmless. The device is used for grasping a female during mating. Common Scorpionflies can often be found on bramble from May until July when the sun shines. The large central spots on the wings are merged forming a nearly continuous band across the wing. The genital capsule on the male's tail has long callipers that are slender and curved outwards at the middle with tips that almost meet.

TQ4793 25/05/2022 ©Raymond Small

Male.

TQ4793 20/06/2022 ©Raymond Small

Female.

Genital Capsule comparison

Common Scorpionfly Male (left): Genital capsule on the tail has long callipers that are slender and curved outwards at the middle with tips that almost touch.

German Scorpionfly Male (centre): Callipers on the genital capsule are short, broad and almost straight with the tips noticeably expanded.

Common Scorpionfly Female (middle): Rear is straight and does not curl like a scorpion's tail.

Species