Categories
Dobsonflies and FishfliesLarge Mottled Insect
May 21, 2010
I found this insect outside an office building in the parking lot. It ws the most unusual insect I think I have ever seen. The bug was about 4 inches long and not the least bit shy. It walked towards me instead of away and tried to crawl up onto my shoe. I was just wondering what it is and a little more about it.
Leah
Cullman, Ala
Dobsonfly
Hi Leah,
We know that summer is coming when the Dobsonfly images start to arrive in our email box. This is a male Dobsonfly, which may be distinguished from the female by his trophy mandibles. The female’s less impressive mouthparts are actually much more utilitarian, and she is able to deliver a painful pinch if carelessly handled. We have read that the male uses his saber-like mandibles for mating and/or jousting with other males, and we long for a photo documentation that illustrates the behavior.
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