Mecoptera (from the Greek: meco- = "long", ptera- = "wings") are an order of insects with about 550 species in nine families worldwide. Mecoptera are sometimes called scorpionflies after their largest non-flea family, Panorpidae, in which the males have enlarged genitals that look similar to the stinger of a scorpion. The Bittacidae, or hangingflies, are a prominent family of elongate insects known for their elaborate mating rituals, in which females choose mates based on the quality of gift prey offered by various males.
Recent DNA evidenceTemplate:Fact indicates that fleas, which are traditionally considered an order as well (Order Siphonaptera), are instead highly specialized Mecoptera. Grouped together with the fleas, Mecoptera would have about 3000 species.
Mecoptera have a special importance in evolution of Insecta. Two of the most important insect orders, Lepidoptera and Diptera, along with Trichoptera, evolved from ancestors belonging to or strictly related to Mecoptera.
Panorpa cognata female with prey
Panorpa cognata male
Detail of head
Dinokanaga andersoni Forewing
References
- Grimaldi, D. and Engel, M.S. (2005). Evolution of the Insects. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-82149-5.
- Template:Cite journal
- Template:Cite journal
External links
de:Schnabelfliegen es:Mecoptera fr:Mecoptera it:Mecoptera ka:ბუზმორიელები lt:Skorpionmusės hu:Csőrösrovarok nl:Mecoptera ja:シリアゲムシ目 no:Skorpionfluer pl:Wojsiłki sl:Kljunavci sv:Näbbsländor uk:Скорпіонові мухи zh:長翅目
