Panorpidae


The Panorpidae are a family of scorpionflies containing more than 480 species. The family is the largest family in Mecoptera, covering approximately 70% species of the order. Species range between 9–25 mm long.
These insects have four membranous wings and threadlike antennae. Their elongated faces terminate with mouthparts that are used to feed on dead and dying insects, nectar, and rotting fruit. While in larval form, they scavenge by consuming dead insects on the ground.

Genera

  • Aulops Enderlein, 1910
  • Cerapanorpa Gao, Ma & Hua, 2016
  • Dicerapanorpa Zhong & Hua, 2013
  • Furcatopanorpa Ma & Hua, 2011
  • Leptopanorpa MacLachlan, 1875
  • Neopanorpa Weele, 1909
  • Panorpa Linnaeus, 1758
  • Sinopanorpa Cai & Hua in Cai, Huang & Hua, 2008

    Extinct genera

  • †Baltipanorpa Krzemiński & Soszyńska-Maj, 2012 Baltic amber, Eocene

    Fossil record

The oldest known species was previously suggested to be Jurassipanorpa from the Jiulongshan Formation of Inner Mongolia, China. However, this was later considered an incorrect attribution, making the oldest known records of the family currently from the Eocene, including the extinct genus Baltipanorpa as well as the living genus Panorpa.