Panorpa germanica notal organ
Collage of male Panorpa germanica with the large notal organ typical for males of this species indicated.
The inset above shows the short and broad hypovalves on the calliper, that are typical for P.germanica (and the extremely rare P.hybrida).
The notal organ is a "clamp" located dorsally on the hind margin of the 3rd abdominal tergite that is used to firmly hold the wing of the female during copula, preventing her from pulling loose without risk of damaging her wing. All species have this, but on P.germanica and P.hybrida it is exceptionally large.
Panorpa germanica (German Scorpionfly) is one of the most common species of Skorpionfly in large parts of Europe.
Similar species: Scorpionflies And Allies
