Subject: Lizard With Wings?
Location: Chesapeake, VA
May 16, 2013 1:27 pm
I found this bug in a rain puddle after a storm in Chesapeake, VA on April 28, 2012. It was mostly lifeless. It clung weakly to the stick I used to pick it up and set it on a pipe out of the puddle. It’s head and neck seemed more like a gecko or lizard than a bug. It had long straight antennae, multiple stick legs, and two sets of wings – one set was lace-like and one was thin with veins.
I’ve been wondering what it was for over a year…finally got around to posting to your site.
I know the pics aren’t that great, but I’m hoping they’re good enough for an identification.
Thanks for all you do. Hope you find the little guy as interesting as I did.
Signature: Bonner C

Female Dobsonfly

Dear Bonner,
Your subject line really caught our attention.  We couldn’t imagine which insect would look like a “lizard with wings” but after seeing your photograph, we fully understand why you might make that comparison to this female Dobsonfly.  We wonder what you would think of the sexually dimorphic male Dobsonfly or the larval form which is called a Hellgrammite.

1   I like This

Related posts:

Female Dobsonfly Female Dobsonfly: America's New Top Model Female Dobsonfly Male Dobsonfly with atrophied wings

Subject: Winged Insect-A Moth?
Location: Northeast Florida
March 16, 2013 10:32 am
I took this picture in February. The insect was in my Oak tree which is dying. I thought perhaps it was the cause. Can you tell me what it is?
Signature: PJ Bell

Dobsonfly

Dear PJ Bell,
This Dobsonfly has nothing to do with the death of your tree.

2   I like This

Related posts:

Female Dobsonfly called Luciferfly in Oklahoma Dobsonfly Female Dobsonfly Female Dobsonfly

Subject: Huge Bolivian Fairy Bug
Location: Bolivia
January 27, 2013 8:13 am
This Bug was found in the Amboro national park in Bolivia and I need to know what it is. People there called it ’the Fairy’. Length about 12-15 cm.
Thank you
Signature: Kathrin

Female Dobsonfly

Dear Kathrin,
This is a female Dobsonfly, and though we are quite certain it is a different species, we do have Dobsonflies in North America.  The male Dobsonfly is a fierce looking though perfectly harmless creature.

0   I like This

Related posts:

Female Dobsonfly Male Dobsonfly Male Dobsonfly Female Dobsonfly

Subject: Please tell me what this bug is please!
Location: Kathleen, Florida
January 10, 2013 9:27 am
This is the first time we have seen this bug and do not know if we need to do anything about it. We live on a farm and have animals. Thank you!
Signature: Sincerely, Denise

Fishfly

Hi Denise,
Though your photo is blurry, it appears by the antennae that this is a Fishfly in the genus Chauliodes.  You can see BugGuide for additional information.

Dear Daniel, I can’t thank you enough for getting back with me!!! Please except my deepest thanks!! I am very greatful! Denise

0   I like This

Related posts:

Summer Fishfly: Disembodied Head Not a Dobsonfly, but a Fishfly Not a Dobsonfly, but a Fishfly Summer Fishfly, we believe

Subject: Mystery Bug
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
January 3, 2013 8:59 pm
I found this bug dead in my basement and would love to know what it is. I have never seen anything like it.
Signature: Scott Light

Male Dobsonfly

Dear Scott,
Despite his frightening appearance, this male Dobsonfly is perfectly harmless.  He will not harm you, your pets or your home.

0   I like This

Related posts:

Male Dobsonfly Male Dobsonfly Male Dobsonfly Male Dobsonfly and request for photo documentation

Subject: Giant flying ant insect
Location: Brazil, Estate of Minas Gerais, Betim city
December 21, 2012 5:36 pm
Hi WTB, this is my first post in this website, I really enjoy seeing and reading it. Could you help me out with this insect? I believe it belongs to the Neuroptera order. Thanks!
Signature: Ítalo Alves – Byologist – Pontifícia Universidade Católica – PUC

Female Dobsonfly

Dear Ítalo,
This is a female Dobsonfly, and though we don’t know what species you have in Brazil, it looks very similar to the Eastern Dobsonfly, Corydalus cornutus, found in North America.  Interestingly, we just posted a photo of a male Dobsonfly from Panama.  Males have much more exaggerated mandibles, and this sexual dimorphism is extremely pronounced.  Dobsonflies are classified in the insect order Megaloptera, but we believe prior to taxonomic changes, they were classified as Neuropterans.

1   I like This

Related posts:

Female Western Dobsonfly Male Dobsonfly Male Dobsonfly from Panama Dobsonfly from Brazil

Subject: Unknown bug
Location: panama
December 19, 2012 8:34 pm
This weird insect was perched on the wall of a lodge near Coche, Panama – photographed in December 2012.
Signature: Doug

Male Dobsonfly

Dear Doug,
This is a male Dobsonfly.  We do not know the exact name of this Panamanian species, but it looks very similar to the Eastern Dobsonfly, Corydalus cornutus, which is found in North America.

0   I like This

Related posts:

Male Dobsonfly Female Dobsonfly from Brazil Female Western Dobsonfly Male Dobsonfly from Panama