MecopteraPanorpidae – Common Scorpionflies

Panorpa submaculosa

This record describes Panorpa submaculosa (species). Recorded family: Panorpidae. Recorded order: Mecoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Panorpa submaculosa - Panorpa submaculosa
Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , v belov

forewing background clear, and crossveins margined; apical band brown to dark brown, broken up into spots; pterostigmal band dark brown, not continuous; first marginal spot and second marginal spot absent

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Mecoptera (Scorpionflies, Hangingflies, and Allies)
Family
Panorpidae (Common Scorpionflies)
Genus
Panorpa

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

ne. US (NH-WI-TN-GA; UT) + so. ON

Seasonal Activity

Jun-Aug in ON

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Panorpa submaculosa Carpenter 1931

About Scorpionflies, Hangingflies, and Allies: the wider group

Order-level background for Mecoptera, the group containing Panorpa submaculosa. 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.

Explore Mecoptera families and species →

Photos of Panorpa submaculosa (2)

Panorpa submaculosa - photo 1
Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , v belov
Panorpa submaculosa - photo 2
Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , v belov

Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , v belov

Frequently Asked Questions About Panorpa submaculosa

What is Panorpa submaculosa?

Panorpa submaculosa is a species in the family Panorpidae, within the order Mecoptera.

How do you identify Panorpa submaculosa?

forewing background clear, and crossveins margined; apical band brown to dark brown, broken up into spots; pterostigmal band dark brown, not continuous; first marginal spot and second marginal spot absent

Where is Panorpa submaculosa found?

Range: ne. US (NH-WI-TN-GA; UT) + so. ON

When is Panorpa submaculosa active?

Panorpa submaculosa: seasonal activity - Jun-Aug in ON.

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , v belov. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.