Megaloptera

Pronunciation: [Mega-LOP-ter-a]

Common Name: Dobsonflies / Alderflies

Greek Origins of Name: Megaloptera is derived from the Greek word “mega” meaning large and “ptera” meaning wings.

Spot ID Key Characters:

Numerous crossveins near leading edge of wings
Pleated area on hind wings for folding
Antennae prominently visible

Spot ID Common Families:

Corydalidae — Dobsonflies
Sialidae — Alderflies

Kwik-Key to Common Families of Megaloptera

Development:

Holometabola i.e. complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult)

Taxonomy:

Holometabola – closely related to Neuroptera

Distribution:

Common worldwide, but seldom abundant. Larvae are frequent inhabitants of streams and rivers. Two families and 46 species in North America; two families and about 400 species worldwide.

Life History and Ecology:

The Megaloptera are always aquatic as immatures. They live under stones or submerged vegetation and feed on a variety of small aquatic organisms. Large species, often called hellgrammites, may require several years of growth to reach maturity. Adults usually remain near water, although they are attracted to lights at night. In most species, the adults live only a few days and rarely feed. Adults have two pairs of membranous wings with an extensive pattern of veins and crossveins. At rest, the wings are folded flat over the abdomen or held tent-like over the body. The hind wings are pleated to allow for folding. Most species are rather weak fliers.

Appearance of Immatures:

Head well-developed with ocelli, antennae, and chewing or pinching mouthparts
Three pairs of thoracic legs; tarsi 1-segmented; claws paired
Thread-like gills on most abdominal segments

Appearance of Adults:

Extensive branching of venation in all wings; crossveins abundant especially along leading edge (costal margin)
Front and hind wing membranous, similar in size, but hind wings pleated for folding
Antennae filiform, multisegmented
Chewing mouthparts

Economic Importance:

Larvae of Megaloptera are important predators in aquatic ecosystems. They also serve as food for fish and other aquatic vertebrates.

Major Families:

- - Corydalidae (Dobsonflies) — adults generally longer than 5 cm
  - Sialidae (Alderflies) — adults are smaller than dobsonflies

Fun Facts:

Males of some dobsonflies have unusually large mandibles that resemble ice tongs. The mandibles, apparently useless for feeding, are thought to serve as part of a courtship display during mating or as an aggressive display toward competing males.
“The Hellgramite Method” is the forty-second episode and the seventh episode of the third season (1988–89) of the American television series The Twilight Zone. It is a bizarre story about a man who overcomes his alcohol addiction by swallowing a pill containing a hellgramite that grows in his body whenever he consumes alcohol.
Hellgramites also had a cameo role in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn. These “alien parasites” were inserted into Chekov’s ear!