Dobsonflies, Hellgrammites, Fishflies & Alderflies (Megaloptera)
| Life history | Dobsonflies, hellgrammites, fishflies, and alderflies, depending on the species, will spend 1 to 3 years in the water as larvae. When the larval stage is complete, they pupate and usually emerge from the water in late spring to early summer to pupate into adults. |
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| Diversity | There are two families in North America. |
| Distinguishing characteristics |
Long bodies, head and thorax have thick skin, visible mouthparts in front of head, no wing pads, pairs of structures along the sides of the body, and the end of the body has either a pair of prolegs (unjointed legs) with two claws or one single long tapering structure. |
| Habitat & Feeding | Dobsonfly, hellgrammite, fishfly, and alderfly larvae can be found in lakes, streams, spring seeps, ponds, wetlands, bogs, marshes or swamps. They are predators, eating other aquatic insect larvae, worms, crustaceans, and mollusks. |
| Water quality indicator status | Most kinds of dobsonfly and fishfly larvae are found in moderately clean well oxygenated water and are sensitive to pollution. Alderfly larvae are more tolerant of pollution and may be found in areas impacted by pollution. |
| Fun facts |
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Corydalus sp.
Sailis sp.