The eastern
dobsonfly is the one of the largest insects that we have in this area. Their large size, about 5 inches long from the tip of the wings to the tip of the mandibles, as well as their impressive tusks, especially on the males, have earned them the nickname of "King Bug". They spend much of their life underwater in their larval stage,
hellgrammites. As
hellgrammites they spend most of their time under rocks at the bottom of their watery home hunting other insect larvae.
You can tell that this is a female because she has short mandibles. The males can have mandibles that are up to about one inch long. They use these long mandibles for courtship displays and for holding on to their mates. Because they are so long the mandibles of the male do not have enough force to break a persons skin the females shorter mandibles however can lead to a painful bite. I photographed this
dobsonfly at the Snake River.
The eastern dobsonfly is the one of the largest insects that we have in this area. Their large size, about 5 inches long from the tip of the wings to the tip of the mandibles, as well as their impressive tusks, especially on the males, have earned them the nickname of "King Bug". They spend much of their life underwater in their larval stage, hellgrammites. As hellgrammites they spend most of their time under rocks at the bottom of their watery home hunting other insect larvae.
You can tell that this is a female because she has short mandibles. The males can have mandibles that are up to about one inch long. They use these long mandibles for courtship displays and for holding on to their mates. Because they are so long the mandibles of the male do not have enough force to break a persons skin the females shorter mandibles however can lead to a painful bite. I photographed this dobsonfly at the Snake River.
7 comments:
Looks like a jeweled pendent! Really lovely!! Cathy
Really beautiful shots...but ick, I wouldn't want thing to be too close to me.
Nice - when did you photograph it?
a huge one!
great shot
Dobson Flies are cool bugs. I had a big insect collection in high school (4-H Club) and the male Dobsons were one of the more impressive specimens. Along with Walking Sticks and Praying Mantis they look like alien creatures.
Wow, I don't think I've ever seen one before. I'll have to pay closer attention next time I'm near fresh water. Inch long mandibles...hmmmm...you'd think I'd notice THAT!
Lovely shot. Interesting critter
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