Panorpa

Panorpa
Female P. vulgaris
Male P. alpina
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Mecoptera
Family: Panorpidae
Genus: Panorpa
Linnaeus, 1758[1][2]
Species

See text

Panorpa is a genus of scorpion-flies that is widely dispersed, especially in the Northern Hemisphere. However, they do not occur in western North America. Thirteen species occur in eastern Canada.[3]

About 260 species are described as of 2018.

Larvae and adults feed on carrion.[4]

The species P. vulgaris, has become a model insect for testing theories of sexual selection as its mating system has been noted to be similar to that of humans in some aspects.[5] Studies show that both sexes of the species display mating preferences for direct (e.g. nuptial gifts) and indirect benefits (e.g. genetic benefits) to increase reproductive success. The production of nuptial gifts during copulation in males (e.g. salivary secretion) and high nutritional condition in females are indicators of "good foraging genes", an indirect benefit that individuals look for in their partners. These genetic benefits can increase fitness in offspring and improve their foraging ability.[6]

The life-cycle of Panorpa nuptialis and its habits, have become of interest in the field of forensic entomology.[7]

  1. ^ Linnaeus C (1758) Systema Naturae ed. 10, 551.
  2. ^ "Panorpa". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 14 December 2006.
  3. ^ Cheung, D.K.B.; Marshall, S.A.; Webb, D.W. (2006). "Mecoptera of Ontario". Canadian Journal of Arthropod Identification (1). doi:10.3752/cjai.2006.01.
  4. ^ "Byers, G.W., Annals of the Entomological Society of America, Volume 47, Number 3, September 1954, pp. 484-510(27)".
  5. ^ Sauer, K. P.; Lubjuhn, T.; Sindern, J.; Kurtz, J.; Epplen, C.; Epplen, J. T. (1998). "Mating System and Sexual Selection in the Scorpionfly Panorpa vulgaris (Mecoptera: Panorpidae)". The Science of Nature. 85 (5): 218. Bibcode:1998NW.....85..219S. doi:10.1007/s001140050487. S2CID 27781413.
  6. ^ Missoweit, M.; Engels, S.; Sauer, K. P. (19 October 2006). "Foraging ability in the scorpionfly Panorpa vulgaris: individual differences and heritability" (PDF). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 61 (3): 487–492. doi:10.1007/s00265-006-0277-y. S2CID 7358938.
  7. ^ "New forensic entomology observations expand knowledge of decomposition ecology".