- NANNOCHORISTIDAE

Scorpionflies, hangingflies

Code QK019999

The Mecoptera is a small order of holometabolous insects in which the larvae predominantly are terrestrial in their development. One family, the Nannochoristidae, has aquatic larvae. These are distinguished by the complete head capsule, three pairs of jointed thoracic prolegs, absence of abdominal prolegs and presence of paired anal hooks.

The Nannochoristidae are an old group that demonstrate a cool Gondwana distribution pattern (New Zealand, South America and south-eastern Australia). Three or four species occur in Australia, but they are nowhere abundant, except perhaps in some Tasmanian streams. Larvae are found in lotic conditions, especially where fine sediments accumulate in slower reaches. They are carnivorous on chironomid larvae.