Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Corydalus crassicornis
Corydalus inamabilis
Size
Up to 50 mm body length, 100-140 mm to tip of wings. Wingspan to 125 mm.
Identification
Typical Dobsonfly, most widespread species in Eastern North America. Males have spectacular mandibles. Compare
Chauliodes, which has a different shape to thorax and head, lacks enlarged mandibles.
Arnett
(1) mentions the white spots in many of the wing cells and the large mandibles as identifying characteristics for this genus.
Range
Eastern North America (only species in east)
Habitat
Near fast-flowing streams. Attracted to lights.
Season
Late spring-early fall (adults). June-September (North Carolina)
Food
Adults likely do not feed.
Life Cycle
Eggs laid in masses of 100-1,000 on rocks near streams. Larvae drop, or crawl into water. Larvae aquatic predators, live in streams. Two-three years are spent in larval stage, at end of this time larvae crawl out of stream and form pupal cell under log, rock, etc. and overwinter. Adults emerge spring to summer.
Remarks
The huge mandibles of the males are used to grasp the females during mating. The females, with much smaller jaws, can apparently bite more effectively. Although neither male nor female feed in the adult stage, they may use their mandibles for self-defense.
See Also
Three other species apparently have very limited distribution in the US:
Corydalus luteus - South Texas
Corydalus texana - SW US west of the Rocky Mountains
Corydalus bidenticulatus - Arizona
Print References
Arnett, p. 345, fig 23.6
(1)
Borror and White, pp. 140-141
(3)
Milne, p. 522, figs. 332, 333
(4)
Swan and Papp, p. 182, fig. 189
(5)Internet References
Insects of Quebec--excellent photos, shows male, female, larva
