Subclass Pterygota:
Pterous (winged) insects, develop by metamorphosis
Division Endopterygota
(endo = inner; pteron = wing)
Mecopteroid orders
(mecos = length; pteron = wing)
Order Mecoptera
(mekos = length; pteron = wing)
COMMON NAME: Scorpionflies
QUICK DESCRIPTION: Scorpionflies have soft, slender bodies, long legs, very long heads with pointed "noses", biting mouthparts, long, fine antennae, and large eyes. Some species have wings (long, oval shaped) and others don't. In spite of their common name, scorpionflies don't bite or sting. Adults lay eggs in the ground, and the young turn from larvae into pupae before hatching as adults.
MINUTE DETAILS: Slender medium-sized insects; head prolonged ventrally into a broad rostrum with long filiform antennae, well developed compound eyes, and biting mouthparts; usually with two pairs of identical membranous wings with primitive venation and carried horizontally at rest; abdomen with short cerci and, in males, prominent genitalia. Larvae have compound eyes, biting mouthparts, and thoracic legs; abdominal legs present or absent.
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