Corydalidae
Guides
Chauliodes
Spring and Summer Fishflies
Chauliodes is a genus of fishflies in the family Corydalidae, commonly known as spring and summer fishflies. The genus contains approximately five described species distributed in North America, including the well-known spring fishfly (C. rastricornis) and summer fishfly (C. pectinicornis). Adults are nocturnal and frequently attracted to lights. The genus is distinguished from other fishflies by specific antennal and wing characteristics.
Chauliodes pectinicornis
Summer Fishfly
Chauliodes pectinicornis, commonly known as the Summer Fishfly, is a species of fishfly in the family Corydalidae native to eastern North America. First described by Carl Linnaeus in 1763, this species has a notably wide distribution across eastern Canada and the United States. A distinctive ecological feature is its commensal relationship with Plecopteracoluthus downesi larvae, which complete their entire life cycle including pupation on the fishfly's mesothorax.
Chauliodes rastricornis
Spring Fishfly
Chauliodes rastricornis, commonly known as the spring fishfly, is a species of fishfly in the family Corydalidae. It is one of the most frequently observed fishflies in North America, with over 13,000 records on iNaturalist. Adults are active in spring, distinguishing them from summer-active relatives. The species belongs to the order Megaloptera, an ancient lineage of aquatic insects.
Corydalus
dobsonflies, hellgrammites (larvae), go-devil, grampus
Corydalus is a genus of large flying insects in the family Corydalidae, commonly known as dobsonflies. The genus contains approximately 35 species endemic to North, Central, and South America. Adults are among the largest winged insects in their range, with wing lengths reaching up to 85 millimetres. The genus exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: males possess greatly elongated, sickle-shaped mandibles used in male-male combat and to grasp females during mating, while females have smaller but still formidable jaws capable of delivering a painful bite. The aquatic larvae, known as hellgrammites, are predatory and serve as important indicators of stream health.
Dysmicohermes
Dysmicohermes is a genus of fishflies in the family Corydalidae, established by Munroe in 1953. The genus contains two described species: Dysmicohermes disjunctus and Dysmicohermes ingens. As members of Megaloptera, these insects represent a relatively small and ancient order of holometabolous insects. The genus is part of the diverse Corydalidae family, which includes some of the largest aquatic insects in North America.
Neohermes angusticollis
narrow-collared fishfly
Neohermes angusticollis is a fishfly species in the family Corydalidae, order Megaloptera. It occurs in North America. As with other fishflies, adults are typically nocturnal and are attracted to lights. The genus Neohermes is distinguished from related genera by features of the male genitalia and wing venation.
Neohermes californicus
California fishfly
Neohermes californicus is a species of fishfly in the family Corydalidae, first described by Walker in 1853 as Chauliodes californicus. It belongs to the order Megaloptera, a small group of primitive holometabolous insects that includes fishflies, dobsonflies, and alderflies. The species is found in North America, particularly in western regions including California. Fishflies in this genus are associated with aquatic habitats during their larval stages. Adults are typically nocturnal and attracted to lights.
Neohermes concolor
fishfly
Neohermes concolor is a species of fishfly in the family Corydalidae, order Megaloptera. It is found in North America, with distribution records from the United States including Vermont. The species was originally described by K. Davis in 1903 under the basionym Chauliodes concolor before being transferred to the genus Neohermes. Fishflies in this family are characterized by their elongated bodies, large membranous wings, and aquatic larval stages.
Neohermes filicornis
Fishfly
Neohermes filicornis is a long-lived aquatic fishfly (Megaloptera: Corydalidae) inhabiting intermittent streams across North America. The species exhibits burrowing behavior and is adapted to temporary water systems with periodic drying. Adults are terrestrial while larvae are aquatic predators with extended larval development periods.
Neohermes inexpectatus
Neohermes inexpectatus is a species of dobsonfly in the family Corydalidae, described in 2016 from China. As a member of the genus Neohermes, it belongs to a group of relatively small dobsonflies with reduced adult mouthparts. The species was described by Liu and Winterton based on morphological characters distinguishing it from congeners. Like other megalopterans, it likely has an aquatic larval stage and terrestrial adult stage.
Nigronia
Dark Fishflies
Nigronia is a genus of megalopteran insects commonly known as dark fishflies. The genus contains two species, Nigronia serricornis and Nigronia fasciata, distinguished primarily by wing pattern. Adults are medium-sized insects measuring 20-30 millimeters in length. The genus belongs to the family Corydalidae, which includes dobsonflies and fishflies.
Nigronia fasciata
Banded Dark Fishfly
Nigronia fasciata is a species of dark fishfly in the family Corydalidae, order Megaloptera. Adults measure 22–28 mm in body length. The species occurs in the eastern United States and is not present in Canada. Like other fishflies, it has aquatic larval stages and terrestrial adults.
Orohermes crepusculus
Orohermes crepusculus is a species of fishfly in the family Corydalidae, originally described as Dysmicohermes crepusculus by Chandler in 1954. It is one of several species in the genus Orohermes, which comprises small to medium-sized megalopterans found in western North America. The species epithet "crepusculus" refers to twilight, possibly alluding to crepuscular activity patterns. Adults are weak fliers and are often attracted to lights.
Protochauliodes aridus
Protochauliodes aridus is a species of fishfly in the family Corydalidae, described by Maddux in 1954. It is one of approximately 20 species in the genus Protochauliodes, which are distributed primarily in North America. The specific epithet 'aridus' suggests an association with arid or dry environments, though this has not been explicitly documented. As with other fishflies, adults are likely nocturnal and attracted to lights.
Protochauliodes minimus
small fishfly
Protochauliodes minimus is a small fishfly species in the family Corydalidae, order Megaloptera. The species was described by K. Davis in 1903 and is native to North America. Like other fishflies, it belongs to an ancient lineage of holometabolous insects with aquatic larval stages. The specific epithet "minimus" suggests it is among the smaller members of its genus.