Dobsonfly or Fishfly or something else entirely? - Chauliodes rastricornis

Curious

Why do they call them fish flies?

… Brittanie Christina McCormack, 22 June, 2006 - 12:28pm

Chauliodes rastricornis

I too find this group confusing! But I believe this is a female C. rastricornis, the Spring Fishfly. It has dark markings on a light background on the pronotum, and it has serrate antennae.

A Dobsonfly would have a head that flares out suddenly from the "neck." Yours has a smooth transition. Serrate antennae rules out the Gray Fishflies group.

The date is a tad late for C. rastricornis, but Patrick's guide page says "through May"; the other common eastern species flies over the summer.

Neat photos, and these Megaloptera are always a great find.

--Stephen

Stephen Cresswell
Buckhannon, WV
www.stephencresswell.com

… Stephen Cresswell, 11 June, 2006 - 7:08pm

Thank you!

Stephen,

Thanks very much for your response. I shall consider my insect a female Spring Fishfly!

I am curious to find out what Patrick's guide is. I googled it and didn't come up with anything. Also checked Amazon.

I enjoyed looking at your website, wonderful photography! I have some insect photos online on Shutterpoint at this link: http://www.shutterpoint.com/Photos-User.cfm?id=STATTON
Once you get there, click on Spiders and Insects (last category).

Take care and thanks again for your help with the Fishfly!

Carol

… Carol DiFiori, 12 June, 2006 - 5:54am

Patrick's Guide

Carol, I enjoyed looking at your site too. I particularly liked the Hermit Thrush, your Mantids, and especially Duncan Lionheart!

As for Patrick's guide, I meant the BugGuide guidepage for some of these Megaloptera, written by BugGuide contributor Patrick Coin. Patrick did a lot of reading on these and sort of sorted out how to distinguish them. For instance, the fishfly page is here

Stephen Cresswell
Buckhannon, WV
www.stephencresswell.com

… Stephen Cresswell, 12 June, 2006 - 6:16am

Re: Patrick's Guide

Stephen,

Boy, do I feel silly. I was thinking you were talking about a guide in book form perhaps. After checking the link you gave me, I have to say that what I had was definitely a female Fishfly!
Take care and thank you again for your help.

Carol

… Carol DiFiori, 12 June, 2006 - 10:09am