Characteristics
There are 3 stages in the dobsonfly, the
larva, pupae, and adult. In the larval stage, the first 7
abdominal segments have large tufts of filamentous gills at the
base of each lateral gill process.
(Arnett, 1985). The larvae are able to breathe in and out of
water by having both tracheal gills and spiracles. They also
have two prolegs at the tip of the abdomen that allow them to
anchor themselves to the rocks. The adults have wings and long
antennae and are easily distinguished by their large size. The
hind wings are broader than the front wings. Males have
large sickle-like mandibles which are an adaption for
reproduction. The female mandibles are the same size as the
larvae and are capable of drawing blood. Larvae feed on
soft-bodied insects and the adults do not feed in nature as the
males live only about 3 days and females live only 8 to 10 days
(Hall, 2008). The ocelli also cause
these flies to be attracted to light and can be found especially
in areas light during the night
(Arnett, 1985).
