#spring fishfly

[coolbugs]

Bug of the not-really-sure-but-it's-been-awhile

Somebody needs a comb!! ;-)

(spring fishfly, Chauliodes rastricornis)

[highwaytohellgrammite]

My son, the beasty

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Spring Fishfly - Chauliodes rastricornis

The lakes and forests of cottage country always have so many surprises when it comes to insects. I thought the Hudsonian Whiteface Dragonfly was going to be the highlight, but then I saw this large-winged individual trying to phase his way through a screen door to get inside. When I first saw the wingspan and flight pattern, I expected to see a giant Moth, so imagine my surprise to see an elusive Fishfly! He sure does fly like a Moth, and even rests like one with the wings folded backward and was drawn by the porchlights. He was definitely the highlight of the evening and greatly dwarfed all other nearby insects! While an insect like this appears intimidating, rest assured that he is perfectly harmless and can be handled with care. According to Bugguide and other identification sources, this specimen is more likely to be a Spring Fishfly rather than a Summer Fishfly (C. pectinicornis), but not just because he was found flying in May instead of July. Given habitat ranges and differing timeframes of adult emergence from the water, seasonality cannot be the sole factor for identification. Apparently, the best way to distinguish between the 2 species are to examine the two parallel markings on the back of the insect's head, just behind their ocelli.

As can be seen from Pictures 5 and 7, our Spring Fishfly friend has dark-colored head markings contrasting with its lighter shell. The Summer Fishfly's head markings and body are the reverse of that (bright markings, darker shell). This identification however, doesn't take into account other species of Fishfly that may call lakes home, so examine your Megalopteran carefully. As if net-veined wings and yellow highlights along the head's mouthparts, thorax and wing-bases weren't enough of an allure for the camera, there are the elongated and feathered antennae to admire. There's no doubt that these antennae used to locate the enticing pheromones of females (also similar to the function of feathered Moth antennae). The feathering designated this individual as a male; a female Fishfly would have had serrated antennae with saw-like grooves. At a passing glance, with their slight curvature they resemble grand mandibles! However, that style of antenna (pectinate) my only occur for this genus; other genera may have other types. For example, Neohermes Fishflies have antennae that resemble balls on a string (moniliform). Mileage may vary, but if you're looking to try and find some Fishflies, approach the water in spring (or summer) and see what insects come to the light. Have some bug repellent or patches handy to keep the Mosquitoes away, as adult Caddisflies aren't going to eat them.

Pictures were taken on May 27, 2024 in Muskoka with a Google Pixel 4. The instances of white ocelli seen in the images here are due to the camera's flash.

[cessnati]

Jun 27, 2023

[onenicebugperday]

@flamma-nocturna submitted: found this long fella on my way out of work last week and I've been curious ever since :O look at them big ol' eyes and snippers

in [removed] (pls remove tyyyy)

Big ol' friend! She's a fishfly - I'd say probably a summer fishfly rather than a spring fishfly. Looks female, though. Males have big bushy antennae.

[herpsandbirds]

Can you ID please in Mo

Insects ID - MO, USA:

Hello, yes, the L photo is a Spring Fishfly (Chauliodes rastricornis), Corydalidae, order Megaloptera.

The R photo is a Hickory Borer Beetle (Knulliana cincta spinifera), family Cerambycidae.

[love-elizabeth]

A few cool things I saw on my adventure in Volusia County on Thursday.

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Very excited about the spring fishfly and that spider, which were both new species to me! The spider is either a Mecaphesa asperata (Northern crab spider) or a species that isn’t in any of my spider guides. Check out the pic with my hand to see a different part of the plant that spider was on—the spider seems perfectly adapted to just look like a dead section of the false rosemary!

🕷

Also pictured: earthstar fungus, a cactus Hidden Mickey, ghost pipes past their prime, a southern 2-striped walkingstick (Anisomorpha buprestoides), fluffy Garberia, a carpet of deer lichen that looks soft enough to take a nap in, and sunlight streaming through a leaf with impeccable TEXTURE 😍

🌲

🕷

🌸

🪲

🔍

#florida #bug #insect #spider #fungus #wetlands #earthstar #mushroom #macro #nature #naturelovers #outsideisfree #cactus #nature_brilliance #fiftyshades_of_nature #scarab #springfishfly @visitwestvolusia @countyofvolusia

[humanbyweight]

Spring Fishfly (Chauliodes rastricornis)

[scifikimmi]

(can I ask all of them) ok but seriously Babe, Buttercup, Beautiful, Hun

Haha you could if you want but it would be a long response

Babe: What have you been thinking about a lot recently?  

Getting more practiced and proficient at digital art (to which end you have been mad helpful and inspiring). Going back to learning Japanese.  ... .... finding a job.

Buttercup: What’s a snack you can’t live without?

Its less that I need a certain snack? but more I need SOMETHING sweet and something salty in the house at all times. like whether its chocolate and pretzels, ice cream and potato chips, gummy worms and triscuits ... i just need one of each ready at hand. (tho, chocolate is preferred for when I’m on my period).

Beautiful: What’s your favourite thing about each of the seasons?

Winter is the family oriented holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas because my extended family comes in to town and I get to spend time with them. Spring is the rain. I love rain. Also Tulips. Summer is summer thunderstorms and Fishfly season. I love fishflies. and Fall is... everything? the way the air smells? colorful leaves that are crunchy. boots and layers and sweaters. everything is suddenly pumpkin or cinnamon flavored. HALLOWEEN!!! :D

What words do you want to hear most when you’re upset?

That its okay to be upset about what i’m upset about. that i’m not being silly or overreacting. that you will help me to find a solution (if its something fixable.. and not like... the death of a loved one obvi). 

[bombus-bby]

I saw this cool girl at the plant nursery today. She is a spring fishfly (Chauliodes rastricornis)

[coolbugs]

Bug of the Day

It's fishfly season! (Finger for scale, she's a big girl!)

[gardeningknowhow]

Spring fishfly - seen one of these near your #watergarden? No, they don't eat #fish, but they do feed on #aquatic #plants and #insects. #Fishflies are said to be indicative of healthy marine water in areas with high populations, where they are actually appealing food sources for, you guessed it, fish.

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Giant Crane Fly - Tipula metacomet

In the world of Crane Flies, it is expected that most of them would be sizable, at least when considering their legspan. For today's specimen however, she has a trifecta of a long body, long wings and a long reach with its legs! She's so grand in fact, that I nearly convinced myself that this insect might've been a Hangingfly (a type of Scorpionfly). While Crane Flies and Hangingflies can appear similar due to their size and spindly legs, Crane Flies possess only one pair of wings (with balancing halteres in place of a second pair) and their legs are also designed to detach when necessary. Hangingfly legs appear more sturdy and seem better designed to wrap around an object (to hang off of it) rather than grasp it like a Fly would, just like this individual is doing along the screen door and its frame. Another possible conclusion is a fearful one, as Crane Flies resemble large Mosquitoes! And if a Mosquito would be this large, imagine how much blood she would need for her eggs! As for proper identification of this palm-sized, spindly Crane Fly, the first thing to consider is the size. This individual is so large (overall), that she would comfortably fit in my palm for observation. The next place to examine is the thorax and confirm the presence of black markings. Confirmed, they're there! Following that, the identification markers for this branch of Crane Flies become more complicated (especially the patterned wings)

A closer look of the insect is needed, otherwise this insect could be mistaken for a relative specie, such as another Giant Crane Fly like T. abdominals. Still a giant, but the wrong giant, and there are only 2 in North America. I nearly labelled this find as the latter specie, but comparing the legs of both Flies held the key! The latter specie has pale markings just before and after the tibia joint on each of its six legs! T. metacomet meanwhile has uniformly colored dark legs, and also has a solid color on the first segment of its abdomen. A glimpse of it can be seen in the small gap above where the folded wings rest. While the brownish color may seem somewhat drab, a bright yellow decorates the middle section of the abdomen. You can see a little of that color through the wings, but you'll be able to see the color in full when this insect is in flight, trying to dash towards the light on the other side of the screen door. You may have some luck drawing them to lights during their nocturnal flights. They can have multiple generations over a year, so the timeframe to find them is wide, but remember not to intimidated by their size when they suddenly fly in. Startled maybe, but never intimidated. Finally, as you observe, take note of the abdomen's tip. If you see a spiked end - like today's find - you have a female specimen. Males have a rear appendage akin to a tri-clasper, and they also tend to be small than the females.

Pictures were taken on September 16, 2024 with a Google Pixel 4. Seeing this large, beautifully-winged specimen so close to autumn has gotten me nostalgic suddenly for Spring Fishflies, another insect (of an entirely different insect order) that seems intimidating at first, but is actually harmless.

[onenicebugperday]

@paeinovis submitted: A nice stonefly(?) I saw today! (Gainesville, FL)

It is very nice! But it's a spring fishfly. Specifically a male, as females have much thinner antennae :)

[entophiles]

Chauliodes rastricornis (Spring fishfly) - male

Caught him while delivering pizza Saturday night...asked the customer if he had a cup or something, and he was cool with it, haha.  

He's a handsome sucker, and fierce, too. Tried to bite me a few times.  I had never seen one of these before.

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Stonefly - Subfamily: Perlodinae

With special thanks to a dear friend of mine currently in Squamish, another new insect order can now be described on this blog. Joining the insect is the order "Plecoptera". These insects are typically flat-bodied with large membranous wings folded over their back. Many species have cerci protruding from their abdomen and the winged adults are found in close proximity to water. The reason being is primarily two-fold: they spend their time as a predaceous nymph (called a naiad) in water and they are relatively weak fliers (despite their large wings) meaning they won't venture too far from their spot of emergence. At most, they might travel a short distance and search for a mate. Species like this are more commonly known as Stoneflies. With a description like this, they are quite similar to other water-associated insects that gain wings and leave the water as adults such as Alderflies, Mayflies and Caddisflies. However, once you learn the exact shape and construction of their bodies, you'll never mistaken one of these for something else. Even Fishflies are distinguishable given their unbelievable large wings! The common name "Stonefly" apparently arose from a behavior at their armored naiad stage: they cling to large stones as they live underwater and try mightily not to get pulled away by the current as they snatch other animals for food (adults are either herbivorous or do not eat at all).

With water currents in mind, it seems to be a miracle that these insects can even hatch without getting pulled away to oblivion. I think that using a current to aid in dispersal is very clever (assuming the locations are suitable). Moreover, Stonefly eggs have a coating that allows them to stick to passing rocks or other pond debris to give them a (hopefully) suitable place to hatch and feed. When pulled from the rock, they will flail downstream aiming to grab another rock, or else become food for passing fish. With this information in mind, it's no wonder this specie is frequently used as fantastic fish bait. I'm not an angler myself, but if an ample source of naiads (not larvae in this case) can be found clinging to rocks, it might be your lucky day. Myself of course, I'd be content seeing the insects in person and later in a photo. Although great fish bait, we should monitor these insects very carefully. Depending on the specie, the naiad stage in the lifecycle of this family of insects can range from 6 months to 3 years (during which there could be as many as 30 naiad molts). With such a long development time, we can't be too hasty to take too much. Secondly, like Caddisflies, Stoneflies cannot tolerate water pollution, making them an indicator of environment quality. A biologically based monitor of the water sounds perfect in my opinion.

Pictures were taken on March 15, 2024 in Squamish with an iPhone X. Happy First day of Spring!