Scorpion flies belong to an ancient group of insects known as 'mecopterans' which can be traced back more than 250 million years. Many people believe that butterflies and many other species of insect evolved from their ancestors. Their heads are extended into a beak-like shape, and their tiny jaws are situated at the end. Their name derives from the end of the male's abdomen, which curls over, resembling that of a scorpion. Despite the appearance, they are perfectly harmless, and don't sting. The tip of the tail has a pair of claspers which he uses when mating with the female.