
Community identification
Fishfly (Male)
Chauliodes pectinicornis
- Order & Family
- Megaloptera, Corydalidae
- Size
- 25 - 50 mm (1 - 2 inches) in length
Natural Habitat
Near standing or slow-moving water like ponds, swamps, and lakes with abundant vegetation
Diet & Feeding
Adults likely eat little to nothing, focusing on reproduction; larvae (hellgrammites) are aquatic predators of small insects
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and strongly attracted to lights; males have feathered (pectinate) antennae to sense female pheromones; short adult lifespan
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to humans as they do not bite or sting; beneficial as environmental indicators of good water quality and as food for fish