Subject: Female Dobsonfly?
Location: Somerset County, NJ
July 25, 2014 7:14 pm
Found this insect (already dead) on my parents’ front porch in central NJ on 7/14/14. After some research I’m thinking it’s a female dobsonfly, but not sure. Wondering what could have killed it and left it intact, and if there might be a nest nearby (shudder). Thanks!
Signature: Megan in NJ
Dear Megan,
You are correct that this is a female Dobsonfly. According to BugGuide: “Adults likely do not feed” which means they are not very long lived. This Dobsonfly may have died of old age/natural causes. Dobsonflies are not social insects that produce a nest, but if you have habitat, including a nearby stream, there may be a significant population in your vicinity.