Panorpa
Scientific name: Panorpa
Panorpa
Scientific name: Panorpa
Photo By Charlie Hohn , used under CC-BY-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
The Panorpa genus, often misidentified due to its striking appearance, comprises creatures that are neither scorpions nor flies, despite their scorpion-like tails and delicate, winged bodies. Fascinatingly, these tails are harmless, used by males as claspers during mating rather than for stinging. Members of this genus are known for their unique courtship ritual involving a nuptial gift, where males present females with silk-wrapped prey or a salivary secretion to win their favor, showcasing a complex behavior in the insect world.
Species of Panorpa
Photo By Charlie Hohn , used under CC-BY-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original