Scorpionflies and Hangingflies: Mecoptera

Mecopterans are found on all continents except Antarctica. Some species even live in the northern polar regions of North America and Eurasia. Most species are found in Southeast Asia and Indonesia. There are about 550 species of mecopterans worldwide, with 81 species in the United States and Canada.

Mecopterans live mostly in cool, moist habitats, especially in shady forests near springs, streams, and rivers. Adults are usually found resting on leaves and other vegetation. The larvae usually live in the soil or leaf litter, although a few species are aquatic and live in streams. Adult snow scorpionflies are found on ice, snow, and stones near clumps of moss. Their larvae develop in moss.

Scoropionflies, hangingflies, and their relatives are seldom noticed by most people. They do not sting or bite.

No species of Mecoptera is considered endangered or threatened. However, studies have shown that populations in North America, Mexico, and Java are getting smaller as a result of habitat destruction caused by human activity.