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| | | Mecoptera | Mecoptera, sometimes called ‘scorpionflies’, belong to the Neoptera. There are approximately 600 species worldwide, 10 of which can be found in Europe.
Mecoptera can reach a body length of 3.5 to 20 mm with a wing span of 20 to 40 mm. They have 2 pairs of wings which are almost identical. In some species the wings are much smaller and in others the larger pair of wings is missing. A notable characteristic of the adult insect is the elongation of the mouth parts; this has earned it the name „Schnabelfliege“ in German (Schnabel = beak ; Fliege = fly).
The larvae look like caterpillars, but have real legs on the chest and abdomen segments. A fork placed on the last abdomen segment also serves the movement of the larvae.
Some examples of Mecoptera are: snow scorpionflies, hangingflies and species of the the Panorpidae. | | |
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| | Further chapters of "Mecoptera" | |
| | Description of images / photos | | 1. | Male Panorpidae |
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| Frequent Queries: | | mecoptera pictures (1) | | | | | | |
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