Summer Fishfly

Chauliodes pectinicornis

The Summer Fishfly is a special insect that loves warm weather! It has big, beautiful wings and can often be seen near water, especially at night when it comes out to play.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Summer Fishfly is a large, brownish insect with two pairs of distinctive dark-veined wings. Males have prominent, comb-like antennae, while females have slender ones. Its mottled wings and robust body differentiate it from delicate lacewings.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderMegalopteraFamilyCorydalidaeGenusChauliodes

Summer Fishfly

Interesting facts

Adult Summer Fishflies don't eat anything at all; they only live to find a mate and lay eggs!

Even though they're called 'fishflies', they are not true flies; they're more closely related to dobsonflies!

Their tough larvae can live for several years hidden under rocks in rivers and streams!

They are part of an ancient insect group that has been around for millions of years!

Special abilities

Summer Fishfly can ambush prey with powerful jaws because of its predatory larval stage that helps them control aquatic insect populations.

Summer Fishfly has special gill filaments that help them breathe underwater, allowing them to live for years in streams.

Summer Fishfly can fly effectively at night, attracted to light sources, because of its nocturnal adult stage that helps them find mates.

Summer Fishfly males possess large, comb-like antennae that helps them locate females by sensing their scent in the air.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 50-100 mm
Size: 25-40 mm
Lifespan: 5-10 days
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

As larvae, they are fierce underwater hunters, but adults don't eat at all!

Age differences: Larvae are active predators; adults do not feed at all.

Primary Foods

Aquatic insect larvae
Mayfly nymphs
Caddisfly larvae
Small fish
Tadpoles

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

eats

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Trout prey on fishfly larvae in their aquatic habitat.

eats

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Bass consume fishfly larvae, especially larger ones.

hunts

Sulphur Mayfly

Ephemerella subvaria

Fishfly larvae actively hunt mayfly nymphs in streambeds.

hunts

Net-spinning Caddisfly

Hydropsyche betteni

Caddisfly larvae are a common food source for fishfly larvae.

Traits

Solitary

Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.

Omnivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

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.