Pronunciation: me-KOP-ter-a

Common name(s): scorpionflies, hangingflies

Mouthparts: chewing

Wings: 2 pair. long, narrow wings with numerous veins and often a color pattern

Metamorphosis: Holometabolous

Body characteristics:

adult

long extension of front of head into a beak.

External genitalia of males large and held recurved over abdomen (like a scorpion)

long narrow wings with veins and often color pattern

larvae - not well known

Where found: Forested areas with heavy ground cover. One group emerges in winter (snowfleas)

Economic impact: none - scavengers that recycle nutrients

Size of order: 475 species (75 in North America). Many fossils

• Gordon's Entomological Homepage
• University of Arizona Tree of Life Page (Very Interesting Site!)