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Dobsonfly (Eastern)

Corydalus cornutus

Range

They are found in the eastern U.S. west to the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains.

Habitat

They live on plants near fast-moving water.

Body Traits

They are about 2″ long with a long, light brown body covered with long, clear, veined wings. Males have long, hooked mandibles. The female’s mandibles are shorter.

Habits

In their young phase (larvae), they live underwater for 3 years. Fisherman will use them as bait because trout eat them in the wild.

Diet

In their young, under-water phase (larva), they eat water insects. Adults do not eat.

Reproduction

Females lay 100-1,000 eggs in a round white gooey mass on rocks, plants or tree branches near the water. When they hatch, the young phase (larvae) fall or crawl into the water. After 3 years, they crawl out of the water and spend the winter under a stone. In the spring, they come out as adults to mate and lay eggs.

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Megaloptera
Family: Corydalidae
Genus: Corydalus
Species: C. cornutus

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