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Alderflies, Dobsonflies, and Fishflies (Megaloptera)

Eastern Dobsonfly

Size:4.0–5.5 inches long

ID Tips: Very large, brown body with membrane-like gray-brown wings; males have huge jaws

Range: From the Rocky Mountains east

Almost prehistoric in appearance, the eastern dobsonfly is a ferocious-looking insect. The enormous adults approach 6 inches in length and have large, membranous wings. Nonetheless, they are relatively weak fliers and appear somewhat clumsy in the air. Males have long, curved mandibles that are about one-third the length of their body. Despite their monstrous form, they are completely harmless. By contract, females have relatively small but powerful mandibles and are capable of delivering a painful bite and even drawing blood. If disturbed, they assume a defensive posture by raising their head and flexing their mandibles, ready to fight off any attacker. Most active at night, the adults are readily attracted to artificial lights. Their predatory larvae are aquatic, living in fast-moving rocky streams where they prey on other insects. Good environmental indicators, eastern dobsonflies require clean water to thrive and are sensitive to pollution.

Believe It or Not: Dobsonfly larvae are commonly used as fishing bait and sold commercially.