Adaptations

The Panorpa Sigmoides mostly moves by crawling or flying with its four narrow wings. This species emerges late in the season, which may indicate a seasonal adaptation to cooler, moister temperatures in the Midwest (California Academy of Sciences 2009). Another adaptation found in the scorpionfly is the notal organ. The notal organ is a structure on the male fly's abdomen that clamps the female’s forewings during mating (Oxford Journals 2001). This organ’s purpose is to strengthen the mating duration.