# Spring Fishfly (*chauliodes rastricornis*) The Spring Fishfly is a fascinating insect that comes to life in the warm months. With its large wings and unique patterns, it's like a tiny dragon in the night sky! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 57 - **Habitat:** Spring Fishflies are usually found near freshwater sources like rivers and ponds. - **Also known as:** Hellgrammite ![Spring Fishfly](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Chauliodes_rastricornis_P1000439a.jpg&width=800) Photo: xpda, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chauliodes_rastricornis_P1000439a.jpg) ## Appearance The Spring Fishfly has a robust, brownish body with large, distinctive mottled wings that are heavily veined. Its wings often have a cloudy or speckled pattern. Males can be identified by their prominent, feathery, comb-like antennae. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Megaloptera - **Family:** Corydalidae - **Genus:** Chauliodes ## Interesting facts - Adult fishflies generally do not eat; they live off energy saved from their larval stage! - Despite their name, grown-up fishflies definitely do not eat fish! - Finding Spring Fishflies means the nearby water is healthy and super clean! - Its amazing larvae can live underwater for several years before becoming adults! ## Special abilities - **Underwater Hunter:** Spring Fishfly larvae can breathe underwater using special gills that helps them hunt other aquatic insects. - **Night Navigator:** Adult Spring Fishflies have large, veined wings that helps them fly silently through the night to find mates. - **Scent Seeker:** Male Spring Fishflies have feathery antennae that helps them detect pheromones from females from afar. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 50-80 mm - **Size:** 25-40 mm - **Lifespan:** 3-7 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Larvae are fierce aquatic hunters; adults do not feed. - **Age differences:** Larvae are voracious predators, but adults typically do not eat, relying on stored energy. - **Primary Foods:** aquatic insect larvae, small crustaceans, aquatic worms - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) — Fish like brown trout prey on Spring Fishfly larvae in streams. - **Eats:** mayfly nymph (*Stenacron interpunctatum*) — Larvae ambush and consume various aquatic insects like mayfly nymphs. - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — Adult fishflies can be hunted by bats during their nighttime flights. ## Traits - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [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. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Spring Fishfly? 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 Spring Fishfly's wingspan? 50-80 mm ### How big is Spring Fishfly? 25-40 mm ### How long does Spring Fishfly live? 3-7 days ### What does Spring Fishfly eat? Larvae are fierce aquatic hunters; adults do not feed. ### Where is Spring Fishfly usually found? Spring Fishflies are usually found near freshwater sources like rivers and ponds. ### How does Spring Fishfly hunt? Ambush ### How many legs does Spring Fishfly have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/albemarle-and-chesapeake-canal) — Virginia, US · Historic Site - [Ashton Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ashton-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Blackbird State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blackbird-state-forest) — Delaware, US · Forest - [Circleville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/circleville-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Concord Monument Square-Lexington Road Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/concord-monument-square-lexington-road-historic-district) — Massachusetts, US · Historic District - [Geauga Park District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/geauga-park-district) — Ohio, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Spring Fishfly](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/spring-fishfly) ## 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: [Spring Fishfly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spring-fishfly)