Scorpion-flies

Scorpion-flies (Mecoptera) are an ancient insect group, having been around for at least 250 million years. Their name reflects the rear body part of some males, which curls upward like a scorpion but is harmless. They have dark spots on their membranous wings and an elongated head with a long beak and jaws for eating dead insects, nectar, pollen and plant material. Scorpion-flies will sometimes steal food from spider webs and are considered beneficial insects given they readily clean up other dead insects.

Scorpion-flies inhabit moist environments near fresh water and are often found living a solitar y life on low shrubs and herbaceous plants or on flowers. They are active during the day.

Males offer a gift of sweet saliva or a dead insect while mating. Females lay their eggs in the soil or crevices in wood. Lar vae live and pupate in soil and waste and feed on rotten plant and animal matter. Some even feed on small insects.

Scorpion-fly

Scorpion-fly | Harpobittacus australis

Sometimes feeding on nectar, male Scorpion-flies also catch prey on the flowers and offer it to females as part of the mating ritual.

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