# Alderfly (*Leptosialis Esben-Petersen*) Alderflies are beautiful insects that love to be near water. They have soft bodies and long wings. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Wetlands and ponds ![Alderfly](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424374/objects/5568.jpg) ## Appearance The Alderfly is a dark-bodied insect, typically brownish-black, with four large, membranous wings that are held tent-like over its back. Its wings feature prominent dark veins and a distinct dark spot near the tip, making it look different from delicate damselflies. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Megaloptera - **Family:** Sialidae - **Genus:** Leptosialis ## Interesting facts - Alderflies are considered living fossils, with relatives dating back millions of years! - Alderfly larvae have powerful jaws, making them fierce underwater hunters! - Finding alderflies in a stream is a good sign of clean, healthy water! - Many adult alderflies barely eat, living off energy stored from their youth! ## Special abilities - **Aquatic Architect:** Alderfly larvae can survive underwater for up to two years, using special gills to breathe in their watery homes. - **Stealthy Hunter:** Alderfly larvae can skillfully ambush prey underwater, using powerful jaws to quickly capture other small insects. - **Camouflage Master:** The adult Alderfly has dull brown and black coloring that helps it blend perfectly with tree bark and riverside plants. - **Water Quality Indicator:** Alderfly larvae only thrive in clean, unpolluted water, making them a natural sign of a healthy aquatic ecosystem. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-40 mm - **Size:** 10-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 3-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Alderfly larvae are fierce aquatic predators, but adults usually don't eat much or at all. - **Age differences:** Larvae are active carnivorous predators, while adults typically do not feed or only consume dew/nectar. - **Primary Foods:** small aquatic invertebrates, insect larvae, small crustaceans - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) — Larvae are an important food source for trout. - **Hunts:** Common Midge (*Chironomus plumosus*) — Larvae hunt midge larvae in freshwater. - **Eaten by:** [Grey Wagtail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grey-wagtail) (*Motacilla cinerea*) — Adults are prey for riverside birds. - **Eaten by:** Common Frog (*Rana temporaria*) — Adult alderflies can be prey for amphibians. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Alderfly? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Alderfly's wingspan? 20-40 mm ### How big is Alderfly? 10-20 mm ### How long does Alderfly live? 3-14 days ### How fast can Alderfly fly? 8 km/h ### What does Alderfly eat? Alderfly larvae are fierce aquatic predators, but adults usually don't eat much or at all. ### Where is Alderfly usually found? Wetlands and ponds ### How does Alderfly hunt? Ambush ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Alderfly: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alderfly)