Scorpion Fly - Female

[Sagar Patil]

This was also created at Sanjay Gandhi NP.

Sony H50 | F2.7 | 1/40 | ISO-160 | Auto Fucus - Macro

Abhishek was keeping extra interest in this insect (size 2 cm). Later came to know this was really amazing and different from many others.

This is female. Male has a prominent sting (same like scorpion) at its tail (it is male genital just for mating purpose).

Whereas female doesn't have that sting.

Waiting for Abhishek's shot

Extra Innings: During mating, male offers a gift (caterpillar, small flies, bugs etc) to female. At the same time he secrets pheromone from his abdomen which attracts female. If female accepts his gift then male can continue with mating after searching her genital of his own. During copulation female spends her time in eating that food gift. Interestingly male has to offer a bigger gift, so female can eat it for more time. Once food is over, female will leave the male. So, they have to mate for several times in a single day, depending on the size of the gift/food.