Panorpa communis (Linnaeus, 1748)
Despite looking ferocious, Scorpion Flies are actually harmless. They are very common in most habitats (most especially hedgerows) spending most of their time resting on vegetation. Primarily carnivorous, they prefer a diet of dead insects and carrion etc, but will occasionally eat rotting vegetable matter. There are four members of the Panorpidae family in the UK and they are fairly large insects, measuring about 2.5cm in length. Found throughout most of the Summer months, the first adults usually appear from late April onwards. Identification of the four UK species is difficult from photographs.
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Nottinghamshire (VC56) distribution of Panorpa communis
 
 
 
 
The records for the Nottinghamshire distribution map are currently provided by the following contributors - Trevor and Dilys Pendleton. Richard Rogers. Darren Matthews. Sherwood Forest Trust (2008 Oak Tree Heath invertebrate survey). Pauline Bradford. Wil Heeney. Stuart Warrington. The National Trust (Clumber Park invertebrate records). Peter Kirby (Bentinck Tip & Void Invertebrate survey 2007). Michael Blount. David Shaw. Nick and Samantha Brownley.

You can contribute your own records to help us gain an accurate status of this species in Nottinghamshire. Send an Excel spreadsheet of your records via the 'contact us' link at the top of the homepage.

Updated January 2024

copyright © Trevor and Dilys Pendleton (www.eakringbirds.com) . .
Lacewings, Snake Flies and Scorpion Flies etc Photo Gallery - Thumbnail version
Lacewings, Snake Flies and Scorpion Flies etc Photo Gallery - Text version