About Panorpa nuptialis Gerstaecker, 1863
Panorpa nuptialis is a common scorpionfly species belonging to the family Panorpidae, native to North America. It is particularly abundant in Texas, where it inhabits wooded areas and densely vegetated ravines. Contrary to what its common name "scorpionfly" might suggest, this species does not use its tail-shaped abdominal structure for stinging; instead, this structure is used during mating with females. Adults of Panorpa nuptialis can reach up to one inch in length. They can be easily identified by their orange wings marked with distinct angled black bands.
