Order Megaloptera - Alderflies, Dobsonflies, and Fishflies

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Identification · Life Cycle · See Also · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Dark Fishfly - Nigronia serricornis - male

Eastern Dobsonfly - Corydalus cornutus - male

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Megaloptera (Alderflies, Dobsonflies, and Fishflies)

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Formerly treated as a part of Neuroptera

Explanation of Names

Greek megalo 'large, great' + pteron 'wing'

Numbers

43 spp. in 8 genera of 2 families in our area(1)(2)

Identification

key to larvae & adults of the eastern spp.(3)

Life Cycle

Holometabolous, complete metamorphosis. Larva may take 1 to 5 years to complete development.

See Also

other Neuropterida: Raphidioptera, Neuroptera

Print References

(4)(5)

Internet References

(6)

Tree of Life

Wikipedia

Works Cited

1.	Species catalog of the Neuroptera, Megaloptera, and Raphidioptera of America North of Mexico Penny N.D., Adams P.A., Stange L.A. 1997. Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. 50: 39-114.

2.	Neuropterida Species of the World catalogue (by J.D. Oswald)

3.	Bright E. (2002-2011) Aquatic Insects of Michigan

4.	A preliminary survey of the Megaloptera of Oklahoma Arnold D.C., Drew W.A. 1987. Proc. Okla. Acad. Sci. 67: 23-26.

5.	Alderflies, fishflies and dobsonflies (Insecta: Megaloptera) of the Interior Highlands, U.S.A. David E. Bowles and Robert W. Sites. 2015. Transactions of the American Entomological Society, Vol. 141. Issue 3, pp. 405-429.

6.	Beckemeyer R.J. Neuropterida (Neuroptera, Megaloptera and Raphidioptera) of Kansas

Contributed by Charley Eiseman on 13 October, 2008 - 8:33pm
Additional contributions by cotinis, Beatriz Moisset, v belov, Edward Ruden, PaleoJon
Last updated 16 November, 2020 - 9:29pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2023 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Printer Friendly Version