# Dobsonfly (*Corydalus cornutus*) Dobsonflies are large insects with impressive wings! They are often found near rivers and streams. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 25 - **Habitat:** Rivers and streams - **Also known as:** Fishfly ![Dobsonfly](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424807/objects/5567.jpg) ## Appearance The Dobsonfly is a large, robust insect with a brownish body and two pairs of intricately veined, brownish-grey wings. Males are easily identified by their strikingly long, curved mandibles that resemble tusks, setting them apart visually. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Megaloptera - **Family:** Corydalidae - **Genus:** Corydalus ## Interesting facts - Adult Dobsonflies only live for about a week, focusing all their energy on finding a mate! - Finding a hellgrammite means the river water is healthy and super clean, a true water quality indicator! - Male Dobsonflies have huge mandibles, but they are too clumsy to bite humans, only for show! - The larvae, called hellgrammites, are fierce underwater predators and can live for up to three years! ## Special abilities - **Mating Mandibles:** Dobsonfly males have enormous, pincer-like mandibles used to impress females, showcasing strength for successful mating. - **Aquatic Childhood:** Dobsonfly larvae, called hellgrammites, breathe underwater with gills, allowing them to live and hunt in rivers for years. - **Night Navigator:** Dobsonflies can fly strongly in the dark, using their senses to navigate and find mates after the sun sets. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 80-130 mm - **Size:** 50-70 mm - **Lifespan:** 3-7 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Larvae are fierce predators of other aquatic insects, while adults barely eat at all! - **Age differences:** Larvae are predatory, but adult Dobsonflies rarely feed, focusing their energy on reproduction. - **Primary Foods:** mayfly nymphs, caddisfly larvae, stonefly nymphs, small aquatic invertebrates - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Largemouth Bass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/largemouth-bass) (*Micropterus salmoides*) — Large bass actively hunt hellgrammites in freshwater environments. - **Hunts:** [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) — Trout are major predators of Dobsonfly larvae in clean rivers. - **Eaten by:** [Mayfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mayfly) (*Baetis rhodani*) — Hellgrammite larvae feast on these tiny aquatic nymphs. - **Hunts:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — These nocturnal birds sometimes catch adult Dobsonflies at night. ## 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. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [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 Dobsonfly? 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 Dobsonfly's wingspan? 80-130 mm ### How big is Dobsonfly? 50-70 mm ### How long does Dobsonfly live? 3-7 days ### What does Dobsonfly eat? Larvae are fierce predators of other aquatic insects, while adults barely eat at all! ### Where is Dobsonfly usually found? Rivers and streams ### How does Dobsonfly hunt? Ambush ### How many legs does Dobsonfly have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Chesterfield Gorge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chesterfield-gorge) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Columbia Historic District I](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/columbia-historic-district-i) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Eakin Community Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/eakin-community-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Jefferson District Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jefferson-district-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Leewood Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/leewood-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Manchester](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/manchester) — Virginia, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Dobsonfly](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/dobsonfly) ## 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: [Dobsonfly: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dobsonfly)