The scorpionfly is a small insect with a tail that resembles a scorpion’s stinger. Yet it is neither a true fly nor a scorpion. It belongs to an ancient insect order of its own. This brings us to one of the best-known members of this group: the common scorpionfly (Panorpa communis).

In males, the curled tail is actually an enlarged pair of claspers at the tip of the abdomen, used during mating rather than for stinging. The upward curl and reddish-orange tip give the appearance of a dangerous stinger, but it is completely harmless. Unlike scorpions, which are arachnids, the scorpionfly is a true insect with six legs, four wings, and no venom. Females lack the curled tail; their abdomens taper to a slender point.

At the front, the scorpionfly has an elongated head that ends in small jaws called mandibles, used mainly for feeding. Its long, threadlike antennae help it sense its surroundings. The body measures about 2 to 3 centimeters in length, with a wingspan of roughly 3.5 centimeters.