Mecoptera (from the Greek: meco- = "long", ptera- = "wings") are an order of insects with about 600 species 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.
- Panorpa communis with prey I.jpg
Panorpa communis female with prey
- Panorpa communis V.jpg
Panorpa communis male
Detail of head
References
- Grimaldi, D. and Engel, M.S. (2005). Evolution of the Insects. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-82149-5.
- Template:Cite journal
External links
de:Schnabelfliegen fr:Mecoptera it:Mecoptera ka:ბუზმორიელები lt:Skorpionmusės nl:Mecoptera ja:シリアゲムシ目 no:Skorpionfluer pl:Wojsiłki sv:Näbbsländor uk:Скорпіонові мухи zh:長翅目
