Panorpa for confirmation

[MattPrince]

Just seeking confirmation that this is likely to be Panorpa Communis rather than vulgaris/cognata/germanica - going on the shape of the valves in the pincer (short converging hypovalves) and reduced wing markings cu1-cu2 as per Pudding4Brains previous tips and photos in the forums (apologies to P4B if I've misunderstood or mis-applied any of his gen)

Thanks,
Matt

[Geoff F]

Going by the male genitalia ID keys in the Aidgap book that is indeed P. communis.

P. cognata has diverging 'fingers' while they are parallel on P. germanica.

You did well to get that detail from a photo.

[MattPrince]

Thanks for that Geoff. Its the first of a dozen that's been identifiable (first I didn't know what to get a shot of, then they escaped or were females, and now its still hard getting usuable detail on the pincers, and/or last segment - much swearing usually ensues...), I wonder how many more I'll need before I run into another species...

[Geoff F]

Well P. germanica is generally regarded as the commonest but with most insects there is considerable regional variability in what is actually the most common.

The Aidgap booklet has Keys for females but, of course, you need to dissect them to see the ovipositor.