Male Dobsonfly

Near clean, fast-flowing streams and rivers with rocky substrates; often attracted to outdoor lights at night.

Adults likely do not eat or consume only small amounts of nectar/water; larvae (hellgrammites) are voracious aquatic predators of other insects.

Adults are nocturnal and short-lived, emerging primarily to mate. Males use their long, sickle-shaped mandibles to fight rivals and hold females during mating.

Non-venomous and harmless to humans; the large mandibles on males are too weak to break skin, though females can deliver a painful nip. They serve as excellent indicators of high water quality.