Bittacus occidentis
This record describes Bittacus occidentis (species). Recorded family: Bittacidae. Recorded order: Mecoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wikipedia reference for Bittacus occidentis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bittacus_occidentis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Mecoptera (Scorpionflies, Hangingflies, and Allies)
- Family
- Bittacidae (Hangingflies)
- Genus
- Bittacus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e. US (NY-SC to SD-AZ)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Bittacus occidentis Walker 1853
About Scorpionflies, Hangingflies, and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Mecoptera, the group containing Bittacus occidentis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Mecoptera (scorpionflies) includes ~600 described species. Males of many species have an upturned abdomen tip resembling a scorpion's stinger, but they are completely harmless. Mecoptera are among the oldest insect orders with fossils dating to the Permian period (~270 million years ago).
Ecological role of the group
Scorpionflies are primarily scavengers feeding on dead insects and decaying organic matter. Some species practice 'nuptial gifting' - males offer prey items or salivary secretions to females as mating gifts.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Scorpionflies have little direct economic impact but are valuable research subjects - they are considered ancestral to fleas and possibly to all holometabolous insects (those with complete metamorphosis).
Recorded sources for this group: Entomological research, paleontology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Bittacus occidentis (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Martin Hauser; Additional contributions by v belov