Fishfly
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.
Corydalidae
Dobsonflies and Fishflies
Corydalidae is a family of large megalopteran insects commonly known as dobsonflies and fishflies. Adults typically exceed 25 mm in body length and possess long filamentous antennae—feathered in male fishflies—and four large, translucent, smoky-grey wings with the anterior pair slightly longer than the posterior. The family is divided into two subfamilies: Corydalinae (dobsonflies), whose males bear distinctive elongated mandibles used in combat, and Chauliodinae (fishflies), whose males have normal mandibles. Aquatic larvae, called hellgrammites, are predatory and possess strong sharp mandibles and abdominal branchial filaments for respiration. They develop over one to three years before leaving water to pupate in terrestrial chambers dug under stones or logs.
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
Gray Fishflies
Neohermes is a genus of fishflies in the family Corydalidae containing approximately five described species. Species in this genus are aquatic insects associated with freshwater habitats, particularly intermittent streams. The genus is known for including long-lived aquatic species with specialized burrowing behaviors.
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.
Nigronia serricornis
Serrate Dark Fishfly, Saw-combed Fishfly, Hellgrammite
Nigronia serricornis is a large aquatic insect in the family Corydalidae, commonly known as the serrate dark fishfly or saw-combed fishfly. The aquatic larvae, often called hellgrammites, are sit-and-wait ambush predators and frequently the largest insect predators in small woodland streams. Adults are short-lived, weak fliers that do not disperse far from their emergence sites. The species has a broad distribution across eastern North America with documented genetic structure shaped by the Appalachian Mountains.
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.