# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 15 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Summer Fishfly](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Chauliodes_pectinicornis_%28Corydalidae%29_-_%28imago%29%252C_Cape_Cod_%28MA%29%252C_United_States.jpg&width=800) Photo: This image is created by user B. Schoenmakers at Observation.org , a global biodiversity recording project., CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chauliodes_pectinicornis_%28Corydalidae%29_-_%28imago%29%252C_Cape_Cod_%28MA%29%252C_United_States.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Megaloptera - **Family:** Corydalidae - **Genus:** Chauliodes ## 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 - **Underwater Hunter:** Summer Fishfly can ambush prey with powerful jaws because of its predatory larval stage that helps them control aquatic insect populations. - **Water Breathing Gills:** Summer Fishfly has special gill filaments that help them breathe underwater, allowing them to live for years in streams. - **Night Navigator:** Summer Fishfly can fly effectively at night, attracted to light sources, because of its nocturnal adult stage that helps them find mates. - **Scent Detector:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) — Trout prey on fishfly larvae in their aquatic habitat. - **Eats:** [Largemouth Bass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [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. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. - [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 Fishflies are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Summer 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 Summer Fishfly's wingspan? 50-100 mm ### How big is Summer Fishfly? 25-40 mm ### How long does Summer Fishfly live? 5-10 days ### What does Summer Fishfly eat? As larvae, they are fierce underwater hunters, but adults don't eat at all! ### Where is Summer Fishfly usually found? Wetlands ### How does Summer Fishfly hunt? Ambush ### How many legs does Summer Fishfly have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Ashton Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ashton-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Black Hawk State Historic Site](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-hawk-state-historic-site) — Illinois, US · Park - [Copicut Woods](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/copicut-woods) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Davisville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/davisville-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [East Greenwich Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-greenwich-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Enfield Shaker Museum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/enfield-shaker-museum) — New Hampshire, US · Museum [View all places to see Summer Fishfly](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/summer-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: [Summer Fishfly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/summer-fishfly)