University of Michigan Biological Station

Biology 442 - Biology of Insects

Lecture Notes - Families of Mecoptera

1. Panorpidae (Common scorpionflies).
   1. Size - medium.
   2. Diagnostic characters.
      1. Enlarged male genitalia like scorpion sting.
      2. Female has 2 short cerci.
      3. Sit on top of foliage.
      4. Usually with patterned wings.
      5. 2 claws on tarsi.
   3. Habitat. Rich woods with lots of vegetation.
   4. Food. Larvae and adults feed primarily on dead insects.
   5. Other. Males offer female nuptial gift of dead insect so they can mate. Males may steal each others gifts.
2. Bittacidae (Hangingflies).
   1. Size - medium large.
   2. Diagnostic characters.
      1. Long legs.
      2. Single tarsal claw.
      3. Unpatterned wings.
      4. Hang under leaves, look like crane flies.
   3. Habitat. Rich woods.
   4. Food. Predaceous as larvae and adults.
   5. Other. Males emit a pheromone to attract females and offer them captured prey as nuptial gift, or may regurgitate saliva ball.
3. Meropeidae (Earwigflies).
   1. Size - medium.
   2. Diagnostic characters.
      1. 2 tarsal claws.
      2. Numerous cross veins.
      3. Males have pincherlike cerci.
      4. Only one species.
   3. Habitat. Sometimes found beneath logs or rocks.
   4. Food. ????
   5. Other. Very little known about life history, but probably quite interesting.

Lecture Notes Menu	Schedule	Course Description
Mecoptera taxonomic sheet

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