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what is this thing??
OK….I’ve never seen anything like this before, and I work for a pest control company!
It’s brownish and black, has four distinct wings (rather large, too), and they’re not touching, it’s eyes are on either side of it’s head, two big big mandibles with sharp serrated like things inbetween them. His body has a head, neck, two body segments, and then a long tail piece. He has 6 legs. I know my nomenclature is totally off, but what do you think? He’s about 2.5 inches long. Need a picture?
Thanks so much!
Suzanne

Hi Suzanne,
You most definitely have a dead female Dobsonfly. The photo I sent to you was of a male, which have bigger jaws. Your photos are awesome, and I’m sure they will have our readers screaming.

Thanks so much for ID’ing it. We thought we’d found some sort of prehistoric creature I guess I can toss it now, it’s getting kind of stinky Thanks
Suzanne

Actually Suzanne, prehistoric is not so far fetched. Dobsonflies are nerve winged insects of the order Neuroptera and are among the most primitive insects that undergo complete metamorphosis.

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1. Female Dobsonfly (June 26, 2005)
2. Female Dobsonfly (June 11, 2005)
3. Female Dobsonfly: Forced Perspective (July 13, 2007)
4. Female Dobsonfly (May 23, 2009)
5. Female Dobsonfly: Dead from unknown causes (July 20, 2009)