Panorpa germanica Linnaeus, 1758

Panorpa germanica has ocelli present. It has a black body with yellow on the sides, yellow rings on the abdomen and yellow marks on pronotum and head (can be brown in some individuals). The genital capsule in males (which gives them the common name scorpionflies) and the tip of the abdomen in females is a red colour. The legs are a yellowish brown in colour. It has four membranous wings with a colour pattern. The wings are transparent with small to medium dark spots, wing tips with narrow dark pattern. In Scotland (borealis form) lacks or has fewer wing spots. Panorpa germanica has a body length of 10-12mm and a wingspan of 22-28mm.

Panorpa germanica is widespread and common in England, Wales and Scotland, with isolated records from the south of Ireland. It replaces Panorpa communis in most areas of Scotland. The borealis form (few or no spots on wing) is found in Scotland and Ireland.