#megaloptera

[musiclovingmoth]

pretty princesses

[herpsandbirds]

A Hellgrammite, the aquatic larva of an Eastern Dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus), family Corydalidae, found in a freshwater creek in Ohio, USA

photograph by Tim Spuckler

[jenfoundabug]

Yay! I’ve finally found an adult dobsonfly and she’s beautiful 😍

I know this is a female because of her mouthparts. Males of this species have huge mandibles, but despite their intimidating appearance, they can’t really bite. Females, however, can deliver a painful bite in self-defense.

Dobsonflies can get rather large. For scale, her body is 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) long!

Their larvae (aka hellgrammites) are vicious aquatic predators. Adults are not thought to eat and only live for about a week.

Corydalus cornutus, North Carolina, US

[onenicebugperday]

Spotted dobsonfly, Protohermes tonkinensis, Corydalidae

Found in mainland Southeast Asia

Photo 1 by songkranth, 2 by stephbidouze, 3 by jirat_pongbunchu, and 4-5 by danamihaimileazachi

[dailybugfacts]

eastern dobsonfly????

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TODAY'S FACT IS

Did you know that the Eastern Dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus) is found in much of eastern North America? The aquatic larvae, often called hellgrammites, are excellent predators in the clean streams they live in. The larvae are often used by anglers as fishing bait. The adult female has short, powerful mandibles whereas the male has giant sickle shaped mandibles, measuring up to half the length of his body.

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Photo by Jessica McDaniel

[the-bug-bl0g]

1. Sialis (county first!) 2. Erynnis telemachus 3. Platypedia putnami 4. Sceliphron curvatum 5. Bombus nevadensis 6. Bombus nevadensis

[bugkeeping]

A dobsonfly and her little pseudoscorpion buddy.

[coolbugs]

Bug of the not-really-sure-but-it's-been-awhile

Somebody needs a comb!! ;-)

(spring fishfly, Chauliodes rastricornis)