The scorpion fly is a strange-looking insect that is found in gardens, on hedgerows, and along woodland edges. It is common among stinging nettles and bramble. The scorpion fly has a long, beak-like projection from its head that is uses to feed.
Despite looking ferocious, scorpion flies are completely harmless. They are very common around Basel – this is where I live – spending most of their time resting on vegetation.
Scorpion flies are carnivores and feed on dead insects. Because they have no fear of spiders – they can dissolve the web if they do get caught – they often steal insects from spider webs. Scorpion flies do also capture live insects; they especially like aphids. Occasionally, they will also eat plant sap and rotting vegetable matter.
The specimen in my photograph is a female.