Amphibious-life-history
Guides
Corydalinae
Dobsonflies
Corydalinae is a subfamily of large megalopteran insects commonly known as dobsonflies. Adults are among the largest winged insects in their range, with males of some species possessing dramatically elongated mandibles used in intraspecific combat. Larvae, called hellgrammites, are aquatic predators inhabiting clean, fast-flowing streams. The subfamily contains nine genera distributed across the Americas, Asia, and South Africa, with notable Oriental genera including Neurhermes and Nevromus. Some Corydalinae species exhibit striking coloration patterns that likely represent Batesian mimicry of diurnal toxic moths.