MECOPTERA
(scorpionflies)
SIPHONAPTERA
(fleas)
So far in classification
Exopterygota
Head
with gula
Neuropteroid Orders
mandibulate
Hymenoptera
2
Neoptera
Diptera
Wings
larvae
without
legs
Head
without
gula
No wings
rostrate
Mecopteroid orders
4
Mecoptera
Siphonaptera
Wings with scales
- Lepidoptera
Wings with hairs
- Trichoptera
larvae
with legs
Hexapod Orders
Mecoptera
Mecos - long, ptera - wing
Number of Species
600
Common names
Scorpionflies, hanging flies
Typical habitats
Forests
Distinguishing characteristics
Other features
-mouthparts on a snout
-swollen terminal segment with ‘stinger’
Fossil Mecoptera
Parasitic Mecoptera - Jurassic
May have been ectoparasites of
early birds and feathered
dinosaurs
Strashila
Diversity in Mecoptera
Panorpidae
Biittacidae
Bittacidae
Other Families
Mecoptera - Distribution
Panorpidae
Bittacidae
Distinguishing features
Expanded male genital capsule
Distinguishing features
Mouthparts on a snout
Relationship to Siphonaptera
Boreidae
Families
Panorpidae
Bittacidae
Generalized Mecopteran Life Cycle
Eggs dropped on ground
(Panorpidae, Bittacidae)
or laid in moss
(Boreidae)
Hatch &
4 larvae
instars
Mating
Pupate
4th instar larva – digs
earthen cell and becomes
quiescent (few weeks to
several months)
Mating Behaviour in Scorpionflies
Captures a prey item and
offers it as a nuptial gift
Male
Secretes salivary mass onto
leaves
Forced copulation
Involve
pheromones
Salivary glands of Panorpa
Male
Female
Hexapod Orders
Siphonaptera
Siphon - tube, aptera - wingless
Number of Species
2,400
Common names
Fleas
Typical habitats
Ectoparasites of birds and mammals
Distinguishing characteristics
Other features
-wingless
-parasites
-siphoning mouthparts
-jumping legs
-laterally flattened
Mecoptera - Phylogeny
2
Diptera
Wings
larvae
without
legs
4
No wings
Mecoptera
Siphonaptera
Wings with scales
- Lepidoptera
Wings with hairs
- Trichoptera
larvae
with legs
Mecoptera
Siphonaptera - Fleas
Boreidae - Mecoptera
Fleas - Distinguishing Features
Wingless
Sucking mouthparts
Antennae retractible
Jumping legs
Fleas - Life Cycle
Pupal stage lasts ~ 7 days
Larva feeds on organic
matter for ~24 days
Natural habitat
Eggs hatch
in ~ 4 days
Adult
Eggs drop off host
Flea Numbers
Flea Bites
Fleas - Disease Transmission
Bubonic Plague (Black Death)
Three separate diseases (Same bacteria)
Bubonic plague -- an infection of the lymph nodes
Pneumonic plague -- an infection of the lungs
Septicemic plague -- an infection of the blood
Fleas - Disease Transmission
Yersinia pestis
Fleas - Disease Transmission
Silk Road
reservoir
Fleas - Disease Transmission
Animated map
Fleas - Disease Transmission