Male Eastern Dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus), The Eastern…
The Eastern Dobsonfly, is one of the largest non-lepidopteran insects found in the United States and Canada. Its larvae, known as hellgrammites, are the top invertebrate predators in rocky streams where they occur. Adult male dobsonflies are particularly spectacular because of their large sickle-shaped mandibles (jaws). There is a total of thirty species of Corydalus, mostly from South America. In addition to the Eastern Dobsonfly, there are three dobsonflies of the genus Corydalus in the western United States. The Eastern Dobsonfly is found throughout most of eastern North America east of the Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico near flowing streams, which provide habitat for its larvae. Adult Eastern Dobsonflies are large insects ranging from 4 - 5.5 inches (100 - 140 mm) in length with large wings from which the order name Megaloptera (large wing) is derived. The female has short powerful mandibles similar in size to those of the larva and is capable of drawing blood with her bite. The male as seen in these photos has long, sickle-shaped mandibles up to 1.5 inches (40 mm) in length and is incapable of inflicting a painful bite. Male mandibles are used in competition for females. It is possible that the mandibles may have been selected as secondary sex characteristics used by females to evaluate males during courtship. Males cannot use these mandibles to bite because they are too long; on the other hand, females have short, heavily sclerotized mandibles which enable them to deliver powerful bites when threatened. The antennae of males are also noticeably elongated, even longer than the mandibles. Adult dobsonflies are short-lived (about three days for males and eight to ten days for females). It is generally believed that they do not feed in nature. The adults are active at night and are strongly attracted to lights. Otherwise they spend most of their time in thick vegetation near streams. ISO400, aperture f/10, exposure .006 seconds (1/200) focal length 70mm
Hugewings – The Smaller Majority
Maryland Biodiversity Project - Eastern Dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus)
Eastern Dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus) Silhouette of male on Bigleaf Magnolia. Sipsey Wilderness, Bankhead National Forest, Alabama, May Stock Photo - Alamy
Eastern Dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus) Male on rain covered Southern Catalpa leaves, Powells Valley, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, summer Stock Photo - Alamy
Male eastern dobsonfly - PEST CONTROL CANADA
The eastern dobsonfly, Corydalus cornutus. Came across this beauty back in June, U.P. MI. First male I've ever seen!😃 : r/insects
Eastern Dobsonfly larva (Corydalus cornutus) Hellgramite…
Eastern dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus ), male sits on human hand, USA, Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Stock Photo - Alamy
Dobsonfly Facts & Description
An Eastern Dobsonfly from Southwestern Pennsylvania - Bugs In The News
eastern dobsonfly - Corydalus cornutus (Linnaeus)
Maryland Biodiversity Project - Eastern Dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus)
