The dobsonfly, also known by its scientific name, Corydalus cornutus, is a two-inch, dark colored insect that spends most of its life in its larval stage. The larva are called Hellgrammites , live under rocks at the bottoms of lakes, and pray on other insect larva.

The dobsonflies have enormous and powerful jaws, strong enough to draw blood from even humans. Despite the fact that the males' mandibles are much bigger than they females', they are unable to harm humans. They are used excusively for grasping the females during mating. The famale's mandible are smaller but able to inflict painful bites. After a few years of living and growing underwater, they crawling out to land and pupate. They stay in their coccoons over the winter and emerge only to mate. Upon emerging, they live for only a few days. They do not eat in their adult stage.

See also

Entomology

External Links/Sources

http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/StratfordLandingES/Ecology/mpages/dobsonfly.htm

http://mbgnet.mobot.org/fresh/slide/dobson.htm

http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/bimg121.html