Video from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYjunSHjSc0

Is this a Scoprionfly?

Scorpionflies are medium sized insects (about 1.5" long) with an elongated head formed by its mouth-parts. They have two pairs of equally sized wings, with a distinctive black patterning on them. Their bodies are relatively slender, redish-brown colored and the males have scorpion tail-like structures at the tip of their abdomens which are used for mating.  

Their Life and Habitat

Scorpionflies are holometabolous insects with 4 distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, adult. Most larvae and adults are scavengers which feed on decaying matter, although some may feed on the nectar of plants or even be predatory. When mating, male scorpionflies will present the females with a "nuptial gift" (eg: a food item) in order to win her favor. They preferred habitats are moist areas and adults are active from summer until mid-fall. Various species of scorpionflies can be found globally although some species, like Panorpa debillis, can be found in upstate New York and the Nearctic region. 

Image from http://what-when-how.com/insects/mecoptera-scorpionflies-hangingflies-insects/

Mundy Wildflower Garden Image from http://www.cornellbotanicgardens.org/gallery/341

Sources:
Marshall, S. A. Insects: their natural history and diversity: with a photographic guide to insects of eastern North America. 2nd ed., Firefly Books, 2017.

Elias Diakolios (ecd65@cornell.edu)

Scorpionflies at Cornell

The Cornell University Insect Collection (CUIC) has a collection of 222 specimens of Panorpa debillis, the oldest one being from 1889, and numerous specimens of closely related species from around the world. Scorpionflies, as well as the closely related Hangingfly (family: Bittacidae), can also be found in the wild, locally. The marsh area of Mundy Wildflower Garden at the Cornell Botanical Gardens is an ideal place to see them in the wild as it is a very moist place with ample amounts of detritus. 

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