Panorpa

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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]

Species

This list is basically adapted from the World Checklist of extant Mecoptera species: Panorpa and complete as of 2018.
  • Panorpa annexa latina Navás, 1928 (Italy)
  • Panorpa annexa subalpina Navás, 1928 (Italy)
  • Panorpa annexa etrusca Willmann, 1976 (Italy)
  • Panorpa cognata osellai Willmann, 1976 (Italy)
P. communis
  • Panorpa communis raehlei Lauterbach, 1970 (Europe)
  • Panorpa dichotoma intermedia Miyamoto, 1977 (Japan)
  • Panorpa germanica euboica Lauterbach, 1972 (Balkans of southern Europe)
  • Panorpa germanica graeca Lauterbach, 1972 (Greece)
  • Panorpa germanica riegeri Lauterbach, 1971 (Germany)
  • Panorpa germanica rumelica Lauterbach, 1972 (Turkey)
P. nuptialis
  • Panorpa sexspinosa zhongnanensis Chou & Wang, 1981 (China: Shaanxi)
  • Panorpa tatvana ressli Willmann, 1975 (Turkey)
  • Panorpa turcica anatolica Willmann, 1975 (Turkey)
  • Panorpa turcica pontica Willmann, 1975 (Turkey)

References

External links