Male Scorpionfly?

Posted by Pam on September 09, 2003 at 17:35:07:

In Reply to: Bug with tail like a scorpion?? posted by KB on September 09, 2003 at 16:51:44:

This is a photo of one species of male scorpionfly. The "tail" is harmless and is actually the male genitalia. Scorpionflies, both adults and larvae, eat other insects and do not bother humans.

"Scorpionflies have interesting mating behavior as well. Male scorpionflies of the genus Panorpa give a dead insect as a "wedding" gift to females with whom they wish to mate! They may find the dead insect or they may steal it from a spider's web (wow! that's a dangerous thing to do!). Then they release a sex pheromone that attracts the female scorpionfly. If she likes the gift, she will stay to eat it while they mate."
http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Entomology/ythfacts/mystery/mystry36.htm
PS: Males occasionally mimic females in order to get a free meal!

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