Scorpion Fly (Panorpa communis).
Sunrise: 04.49 Sunset: 09.28
I am attracted to Scorpion Flies; I find them fascinating.
The Scorpion Fly is a strange and beautiful insect that is abundant in Hoo Wood at the moment, particularly amongst nettles and bramble. The long beak-like projection from its head is used for scavenging dead insects from tight spaces and stealing food from spider’s webs. Its name is derived from the scorpion-like tail that the male uses in courtship displays. Adults usually mate at night, but mating can be a dangerous game for the male, who might be killed by the female. To help reduce the potential of death in return for pleasure, he offers a nuptial gift of a dead insect or a mass of saliva to placate her – the equivalent of a box of chocolates! The resulting eggs are laid in the soil and the emerging larvae live and pupate at the soil surface.
Scorpion Fly.
Scorpion Fly.
Gorgeous pictures again. You can see where movie designers get their monster ideas from.
Thanks, Tom. I think you are right.