Other Common Names
Le Corydale noir (French "Dark Fishfly"), Corydale papillon (French "Butterfly Fishfly")
Numbers
Nearctica.com lists just two species, fasciatus and serricornis.
Identification
Resemble Chauliodes fishflies, but wings very dark with white spots. White marks are variable, according to Guide to Insects of Quebec. (See Internet references.)
Species key from:
A Guide To The Megaloptera And Aquatic Neuroptera Of Florida, p. 19
(1)
1. Wings with large white areas more or less continuous, especially across the middle; anal area of hindwing white; male antennae modified pectinate; female antennae serrate---Nigronia fasciatus
Wings with white spots isolated often associated with crossveins; anal area of hindwing brown; male and female antennae serrate--- Nigronia serricornis
Range
Eastern North America. N. serricoris is widespread. N. fasciatus is widespread, but absent from the upper Midwest and southern Canada.
Habitat
Streams and nearby vegetation. N. fasciatus is restricted more to small streams with very good water quality
(1).
Season
Spring--May at lower elevations in North Carolina, May-July at higher elevations
Life Cycle
Emergence of adults may be synchronized. Adults are diurnal (seen flying near streams) and also nocturnal, so come to lights. Eggs are laid on the underside of vegetation overhanging a stream. Larvae are aquatic, predatory. Perhaps take three years to mature in more temperate areas, such as West Virginia. Pupation occurs in earthen cells on the edge of streams.
Print References
A Guide To The Megaloptera And Aquatic Neuroptera Of Florida, p. 19
(1), gives key to two species, discusses life histories.
Arnett, p. 345, fig. 23.7--N. serricornis
(2)
Brimley, p. 28, listed under
Chauliodes (3)Internet References
North Carolina State University Entomology Collection lists both species for that state, fasciatus (17 pinned) and serricornis (20 pinned).
Insects of Quebec has illustration of specimen of Nigronia serricornis.
Dark Fishfly (Le Corydale noir) at Guide to Insects of Quebec. Species account (in French), with photos of larva and adult.
