Fossil of Scorpion Fly

The name “scorpion fly” derives from the fact that the males have enlarged genitals that look similar to the stingers of scorpions. There are 500 species under three genera known in the world, with the majority found in the northern hemisphere, living in forests, canyons, or areas with dense vegetation. They are low in number and not commonly seen, preying on various insects or feeding on different types of mosses. The head of this particular fossil is hook-billed in shape, which is a typical feature of the Mecoptera.