The Truth About Scorpionflies: Are They Pests or Not?

Are you constantly dealing with pest problems in your home? Many homeowners encounter the same issues, especially with termites, fire ants, cockroaches, and flies. It can get more frustrating when you can’t get rid of them despite the number of pest control treatments you apply. Some bugs, however, are not so common that most people don’t know what to do with them. 

Scorpionflies are just one. Besides their threatening name, these strange-looking insects have male genitals associated with scorpion stingers. You probably worry about these bugs infesting indoors and the appropriate scorpionfly treatment you should put on. But do scorpionflies pose a real threat to you and your home? 

Before worrying about scorpionflies infestation, discover the truth about these unusual insects. Are scorpionflies a real pest or not? Know what they truly are by reading on. 

What Is a Scorpion Fly?

A scorpionfly is a family of small to medium-sized insects that belong to the order Mecoptera. They are not so common that you can often only find them during a two or three-week summer period. But around 605 species of this order of insects are within 34 genera and nine families throughout the world. Such species are classified into the following three main groups: 

• Common Scorpionflies (Panorpidae): This is the most prominent scorpion family, consisting of about 400 species. These panorpids have enlarged and curving male genitalia, which resembles the stinger of scorpions. It’s where scorpionflies are named after. 
• Snow Scorpionflies(Boreidae): This family of scorpionflies is active during the year’s colder months. In fact, snow scorpionflies thrive in snow and freezing temperatures. They bear a passing resemblance to scorpions with their hardly visible wings and elongated male abdomen. 
• Hanging Flies (Bittacidae): Also known as hanging scorpionflies, they strongly resemble crane flies. But this family of scorpionflies is distinguished by their long hind legs used to catch small flying insects. 

How To Identify Scorpionflies? 

Scorpionflies are characterized by chewing mouthparts at the end of an elongated flat beak. These insects have two pairs of net-veined wings and long threadlike antennae. At rest, their wings are pushed back in a V position and usually are transparent, darkly spotted, or black-banded. 

The membranous wings of scorpionflies are 1.4 inches long, and they’re slightly more notable than the body’s total length. Overall, these insects have long slender bodies similar to other true flies. But the reddish head of scorpionflies is formed like a beak, which sets them apart from other insects. You can also identify scorpionflies by their rusty or yellowish-brown body.

Where Do They Live?

Known to adapt to moist environments, the most common scorpionflies are linked with vegetation, such as low shrubs, mosses, old fields, and woodlands. They are also usually found in plants adjacent to forest-edge, water areas, or damp woods. But, like other flying insects, scorpionflies can fly to different kinds of places. A few of them also settle in semi-desert habitats. 

How Do They Grow and Reproduce?

While the life cycle of scorpionflies may vary, they undergo a complete metamorphosis, from the egg and larval to pupal and adult stages. The male scorpionfly offers food in the form of dead insects or releases certain odours or pheromones to attract the female scorpionfly into mating and copulation.

The male scorpionfly mates with the female, and she feeds on his nuptial gift through his scorpion-like tail. The resulting eggs are hatched in the soil, where the larvae live, feed, and grow. The scorpionfly larvae resemble caterpillars, but they don’t have abdominal prolegs. Instead, they have long and well-developed mandibles. 

It takes about a month for the caterpillar-like larvae to mature, and pupate in underground cells. While most scorpionfly larvae emerge as adults in late summer, some overwinter as pupae and come out in spring. 

What Do They Eat? 

Scorpionfly adults and larvae primarily feed on dead or dying insects. They usually prey on flies, bees, caterpillars, and insects trapped in plant materials. Scorpionflies tend to blend into their environments to pounce on their prey. It’s also part of their customs to steal the contents of spider webs. In addition, some scorpionfly adults devour nectar flowers, pollen, rotting fruits, and other organic matter. 

The Role of Scorpionflies in the Ecosystem

The population of most scorpionflies species is not big enough to significantly impact the environment. But generally, they can be beneficial to humans and the natural ecosystems. Scorpionflies play an essential role as scavengers. 

Because they feed on dead insects and other decomposing matters, they help nourish the soil more quickly. As a result, scorpionflies play a role in the ecosystem by breaking down dead insects and converting them into the ecosystem as nutrients. 

If you’re growing crops in farmlands or even flowers in the garden, the presence of these species can be valuable. Although they’re known to feed on plant materials, they only do so when no carcasses are available. This means your crops and plants would be safe from these plant-sucking bugs. 

Should You be Afraid of Scorpionflies as Pests

Is there anything to fear about scorpionflies as pests? Learn more about the appearance, behaviour, bites, and infestation of these uncommon insects below. 

Appearance

Scorpionfly adults are identified by chewing mouthparts and enlarged abdomen that curls upwards in a scorpion-like appearance. But these species are not as scary as many people think, even if the male genitalia replicates the stingers of a scorpion. 

Behaviour

Despite having two pairs of wings, scorpionflies usually take a slow flight to the air in short distances. They can only go at 1.1 miles per hour/mph in variable patterns. So, as a weak flier, you can find these unusual species resting on or hanging from leaves. Also, they prefer living in single, mated pairs rather than large groups. 

Bites

The structure of the scorpion-like tails among scorpionflies is primarily used for reproduction. Meanwhile, their cone-like mouthparts are used for feeding. And, while these species appear alarming, they can’t bite or sting humans like scorpions. They’re not even much of a threat to other types of arthropod life. 

Infestation

Scorpionflies often stay outdoors, specifically in vegetation areas. Unlike other flies, they don’t cause infestation indoors, so you don’t need to be concerned about their potential attacks. They usually spend their time searching for prey on low-hanging leaves and branches. Also, these strange and scary-looking species won’t cause harm or damage to your property.

Keeping Scorpionflies and Other Pests out of Your Home

While you don’t have to worry about scorpionflies infesting indoors, they can also be an annoyance that may require proper management and professional help to eliminate from your home. Like any other harmless pests, some species of scorpionflies can be attracted to light, moisture, and food. They can seek protection and shelter indoors if dead insects or invertebrates exist. 

Here are some practical ways to keep scorpionflies and other pests out of your home: 

Keep Your Yard Clean

Your yard is the first place that insects can infiltrate. If plants and greenery are too close to your home, you’re providing accessibility for scorpionflies and other pests to set foot inside. It can make your property more susceptible to any kind of pest infestations. As much as possible, maintain a clean yard and ensure branches don’t hang over your house. 

Seal Any Entry Points

Pests can easily crush themselves through tiny holes and cracks. Check your home for potential entry points, then ensure to seal them to prevent bugs from entering. By eliminating other small insects indoors, you also take away one of the food sources of scorpionflies, making your home less attractive. 

Use Pest Control Treatment

It’s important to consider the role of scorpionflies and some other insects in the ecology. If they don’t pose any danger to your home or health, leaving them alone is better. However, as much as you don’t want to harm these mecopterans, resorting to a scorpionfly treatment might be necessary for some instances. 

To reduce pesticide exposure, you can use baits, insect growth regulators, sprays, or dust in voids. But, if you’re unsure about using pest control treatment, it’s best to ask for assistance from a pest control professional.