The single known species of this family has been collected in mosses in Tasmania. It is probably an austral ecological counterpart of the northern hemisphere Boreidae, adapting to colder climates by losing its wings and feeding on the abundant understory mosses. Both groups have been collected on snow and at high elevations. However, these two groups are probably not sister groups, as males of Apteropanorpa tasmanica have developed the bulbous, recurved abdomen found in advanced families, such as Panorpidae.

Apteropanorpa

tasmanica

Carpenter

1941

Australia (Tasmania)