National Insect Week – Day 3

Scorpion fly

by Ian Bushell

This is a Scorpion Fly (Panorpa sp.), a strange-looking insect found all over the park particularly along the field and woodland margins among the Stinging Nettles and Brambles. This photo of a male shows the long beak-like projection from its head that it uses to feed, mostly scavenging dead insects and small invertebrates. 

It is 10 – 15mm in size and easily recognised: black and yellow body with a reddish head and dark patches on the wing. Apart from the beak-like projection, the male’s genital area is swollen and held over its body like a scorpion’s tail – thus the common name – but the female’s abdomen is tapered to the tip.

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1. female 2. male

They cannot sting but may pretend to if handled, but generally when disturbed, they will drop to the ground.  From now until September is a good time to see them in the park. There are three species in the UK, all of the genus Panorpa but they are very difficult to tell apart.

Header picture: Scorpion fly male by Ian Bushell