Ultrastructural comparison of the compound eyes of Sinopanorpa and Panorpa (Mecoptera: Panorpidae)

► The ommatidial ultrastructure of two species of Panorpa and one species of Sinopanorpa are compared for the first time. ► The retinula cell R8 only contributes its rhabdomere to the proximal part of the rhabdom. ► The compound eyes of the adult Panorpidae differ greatly from those of the larvae in ommatidial structure.