← Gallery II · The Orders
No. 15 · Holometabolous
Dobsonflies, Alderflies, Fishflies
Megaloptera
~350
Described species
~2
Families
Introduction
Larvae are called hellgrammites and are prized as bass bait. Adult male dobsonflies have inches-long mandibles too unwieldy to bite — they're for grappling with rival males.
Field marks
Key ID traits.
Large soft-bodied insects with two pairs of equal, heavily-veined wings held tent-like. Predatory aquatic larvae (hellgrammites) are top-tier fish bait. Male dobsonflies have enormous saber-like mandibles used in mating displays.
Etymology
Greek megalo 'large' + pteron 'wing'
Wings
Winged
Diet
Predator
Habitat
Aquatic · Semi-aquatic
Notable examples
Eastern dobsonfly, alderflies, summer fishfly.
Where to look