×
BugFinder Insects by State Spiders Butterflies & Moths Bees, Ants, & Wasps Beetles All Bugs Videos (YouTube)

Dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus)


Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Dobsonfly


Loading SVG image placeholder
1/15
Image Credit: Denee T. from Senatobia, MS
Full-sized image of the Dobsonfly Thumbnail image of the Dobsonfly
2/15
Image Credit: James C. from Claremore, OK
Full-sized image #2 of the Dobsonfly Thumbnail image #2 of the Dobsonfly
3/15
Image Credit: Joe V. from AR
Full-sized image #3 of the Dobsonfly Thumbnail image #3 of the Dobsonfly
4/15
Image Credit: Bob D.
Full-sized image #4 of the Dobsonfly Thumbnail image #4 of the Dobsonfly
5/15
Image Credit: Jayme R. taken in Enon, LA
Full-sized image #5 of the Dobsonfly Thumbnail image #5 of the Dobsonfly
6/15
Image Credit: Joel M. taken in NC
Full-sized image #6 of the Dobsonfly Thumbnail image #6 of the Dobsonfly
7/15
Image Credit: James C. from Claremore, OK
Full-sized image #7 of the Dobsonfly Thumbnail image #7 of the Dobsonfly
8/15
Image Credit: Carol Ann from Ruckersville, VA
Full-sized image #8 of the Dobsonfly Thumbnail image #8 of the Dobsonfly
9/15
Image Credit: Trisha K. from Purdy, MO
Full-sized image #9 of the Dobsonfly Thumbnail image #9 of the Dobsonfly
10/15
Image Credit: Bev L., Harrisburg, PA
Full-sized image #10 of the Dobsonfly Thumbnail image #10 of the Dobsonfly
11/15
Image Credit: Rob S. from Ottumwa, IA
Full-sized image #11 of the Dobsonfly Thumbnail image #11 of the Dobsonfly
12/15
Image Credit: Pat R. from New Castle, PA
Full-sized image #12 of the Dobsonfly Thumbnail image #12 of the Dobsonfly
13/15
Image Credit: Joseph W. from Beaumont, TX
Full-sized image #13 of the Dobsonfly Thumbnail image #13 of the Dobsonfly
14/15
Image Credit: Christopher C. from western NY
Full-sized image #14 of the Dobsonfly Thumbnail image #14 of the Dobsonfly
15/15
Image Credit: Amy L. taken in Great Falls Park, MD
Full-sized image #15 of the Dobsonfly Thumbnail image #15 of the Dobsonfly

The large jaws and long mandibles on a male Dobsonfly may cry 'caution', but it's the fierce bite from a female that should have you on guard.



Updated: 07/05/2022; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org
Male Dobsonflies look quite fearsome, with what appear to be tentacle-like appendages for mouth parts. The truth is, the males of the species cannot bite and are considered harmless to humans. The females, on the other hand, can deliver quite a painful bite from her strong jaws if she is agitated. Male Dobsonflies have long, fleshy mandibles that can look like a second set of short, rubbery antennae. Females have a short jaw with large pincers. Both genders are a taupe color and have large wings that cover the body when viewed from overhead. The net-veined wings have small white dots on them and they slightly overlap at the midline.

Dobsonflies begin life as aquatic larvae before graduating to status as an airborne insect. At this young stage, they are often called hellgrammites or toe-biters and can grow as large as a human finger. They feed on tadpoles, small fish, and other young aquatic larvae from other species (like dragonfly naiads and stonefly hellgrammites). Larvae look like underwater centipedes early in life, and adults keep watch over them from a nearby area above the water. These hellgrammites can bite, requiring care when handling and caution when walking barefoot in their habitat. The threat of a nip on the finger does not stop anglers from using them as live bait.

Adults are primarily nocturnal (night dwellers) and are naturally drawn to light sources at night. They do not eat. Instead, they spend their days focused on reproducing the next generation of Dobsonflies.©InsectIdentification.org




Known Diet of the Dobsonfly



insects and aquatic invertebrates (larvae only - adults do not feed)
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.InsectIdentification.org. It is the product of hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, educators, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at InsectIdentification AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.


General Characteristics


Capability, Shape, Texture/Pattern, Benefits, Dangers
Insect antennae icon
Insect biting icon
Flying insect icon


Taxonomic Hierarchy


Species Breakdown
Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Arthropoda
    Class: Insecta
      Order: Megaloptera
        Family: Corydalidae
View More
          Genus: Corydalus
View More
            Species: cornutus

Identifying Information


Size, Colors, Features
Scientific Name: Corydalus cornutus
Category: Alderfly or Dobsonfly
Size (Adult; Length): 50mm to 127mm (1.96" to 5.00")
Colorwheel Graphic Colors: black; brown; gray; white
Descriptors: mouth; antennae; long; extra; flying; biting; jaws


Relative Size Comparison


Typical Size Between 50mm (2.0in) and 127mm (5.0in)
Lo: 50mm
Md: 88.5mm
Hi: 127mm

Territorial Map*


U.S., Canada, and Mexico
State of Alabama graphic
State of Arizona graphic
State of Arkansas graphic
State of California graphic
State of Colorado graphic
State of Delware graphic
State of Florida graphic
State of Georgia graphic
State of Idaho graphic
State of Illinois graphic
State of Indiana graphic
State of Iowa graphic
State of Kansas graphic
State of Kentucky graphic
State of Louisiana graphic
State of Maine graphic
State of Maryland graphic
State of Michigan graphic
State of Minnesota graphic
State of Mississippi graphic
State of Missouri graphic
State of Montana graphic
State of Nebraska graphic
State of Nevada graphic
State of New England graphic
State of New Jersey graphic
State of New Mexico graphic
State of New York graphic
State of North Carolina graphic
State of North Dakota graphic
State of Ohio graphic
State of Oklahoma graphic
State of Oregon graphic
State of Pennsylvania graphic
State of South Carolina graphic
State of South Dakota graphic
State of Tennessee graphic
State of Texas graphic
State of Utah graphic
State of Virginia graphic
State of Washington graphic
State of West Virginia graphic
State of Wisconsin graphic
State of Wyoming graphic
Canadian territory of Alberta graphic
Canadian territory of British Columbia graphic
Canadian territory of Manitoba graphic
Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic
Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic
Canadian territory of Ontario graphic
Canadian territory of Quebec graphic
Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic
Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico
Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic
Alaska  
Hawaii  
Prince Edward Is.  
* MAP NOTES: The territorial heat map above showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Dobsonfly may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data is useful when attempting to see concentrations of particular species across the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some insects are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America. States/Territories shown above are a general indicator of areas inhabited by the Dobsonfly. Insects generally go where they please, typically driven by diet, environmental changes, and / or mating habits.
Site Disclaimer  |  Privacy Policy  |  Cookies  |  Sitemap
Beetle Identification Butterfly Identification Caterpillar Identification Spider ID Fungal Infections on Insects Nursery Web Spider Official State Insects Termite Basics Insect Molting Process Bugs of Tennessee House Centipede JoroSpider.org

2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • Content ©2006-2024 InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved. The InsectIdentification.org logo, its written content, and watermarked photographs/imagery are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and is protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. Material presented throughout this website is for entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for scientific research or medical advice (regarding bites, etc...).Please consult licensed, degreed professionals for such information. By submitting images to us (InsectIdentification.org) you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Site Disclaimer as it pertains to "User-Submitted Content". Images in JPG format are preferred with a minimum horizontal dimension of 1000px if possible. When emailing please include your location and the general estimated size of the specimen in question if possible. Please direct all inquiries and comments to insectidentification AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

©2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2006-2024 (18yrs)