[Image Description: Three images of the same bug. In all three, they are close-up images of a large bug (about 2-3 inches long) clinging to the outside of a window screen. The first is a side view of the bug, where you can see its large greenish eyes and it’s grey-tan body. The second is a top view, where you can see more detail of the translucent wings, and the feathering of the antennae. The third is a view of it spreading its wings out as though it were about to fly, making them more obviously translucent.]
One of the best parts about being “that weirdo who likes bugs” is that gradually all your friends figure it out and then excitedly drag you over whenever they see a cool bug! Such was the case with this big beauty, in the midst of one of the late-night parties at Pinewoods camp. I didn’t even know the friend in question liked bugs, and after I took a bunch of pictures, we went inside to borrow a bug book and try and ID it.
(Any quality dance camp should have a number of reference books available, on the local flora and fauna. I’m trying to grow my own small collection as well, but it’s convenient to not have to carry the library with me.)
We were ten minutes of flipping through pages in, when my Adventure Buddy wandered over and glanced at the photo on my camera screen. “Oh, what a nice Eastern Dobsonfly!” (Corydalus cornutus) says he, and one flip to the correct section later, we’ve confirmed he’s right! It’s a female Dobsonfly, which my more recent research implies is capable of delivering a pretty nasty bite! I’m a little bummed I didn’t get a closer picture of her powerful mandibles...but then again, maybe I didn’t want to get *too* close!
There are varieties of Dobsonflies all over the world, some of which can grow to have as much as a seven or eight inch wingspan! They live a short life, about a week at most, and spend it trying to ensure the continuation of their magnificent species. I’m a bit disappointed I couldn’t spot a male Dobsonfly as well, as the gents have significant mandibles, long enough to almost be mistaken for another set of antennae!
Image Credit: I took this one! CC-BY-NC CitySpider 2018
