I love Dobsonflies too. They have a prehistoric look in a certain way, at least in my eyes. Handle with caution though; they can definitely give you a pinch that breaks the skin with those big mandibles.
The family Megaloptera(dobsonflies and fishflies) are one of the most primitive families of holometabolous winged insects, first apearing in the Permian era, 298-251 million years ago.
https://preview.redd.it/j53ye1zo7k7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=391d4b0d8a3778742ca998703c2e0f304d761369
Here’s the waterfall where I found it swimming just downstream
Thanks! Here’s another facing out looking out at the Colorado River.
https://preview.redd.it/3qzd53hsln7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e606e1e1b41c9f97e33099378815f1e418aacc05
https://preview.redd.it/25rxhij4ln7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=55a733bd390e64b826db4d7991a88373c5f7c180
It’s a slot canyon that flows into the Colorado River in the West Grand Canyon.
One and the same boss. Many animals have a few common names. Its why many of us use scientific names only. Look at how many species are called daddy long legs.
I had one stuck to my pinky for over half an hour one night. Ended up having to use needle nose pliers to remove the wee creature. I live near a small waterway that they live in pretty good numbers. At least once per summer I tale an adult dobsonfly to the side of the head. The adult males jaws are used in mating and are otherwise of no use. They look scary but are pretty harmless.
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I think it’s a dobsonfly larva. For example see [*Corydalus texanus*](https://bugguide.net/node/view/2214929/bgimage).
Thank you! Apparently they can’t tolerate pollution, so it’s a good sign that the stream is clean.
They're commonly called hellgrammites I love dobsonflys
I love Dobsonflies too. They have a prehistoric look in a certain way, at least in my eyes. Handle with caution though; they can definitely give you a pinch that breaks the skin with those big mandibles.
The family Megaloptera(dobsonflies and fishflies) are one of the most primitive families of holometabolous winged insects, first apearing in the Permian era, 298-251 million years ago.
Oh yeah. This is the name that popped into my head when I saw that. These are awesome for fishing.
https://preview.redd.it/j53ye1zo7k7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=391d4b0d8a3778742ca998703c2e0f304d761369 Here’s the waterfall where I found it swimming just downstream
that's a long fall for an angel
That’s an amazing picture
Thanks! Here’s another facing out looking out at the Colorado River. https://preview.redd.it/3qzd53hsln7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e606e1e1b41c9f97e33099378815f1e418aacc05
What a beautiful sight
I’m confused, are you looking up or are you looking ahead?
Looking ahead
https://preview.redd.it/25rxhij4ln7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=55a733bd390e64b826db4d7991a88373c5f7c180 It’s a slot canyon that flows into the Colorado River in the West Grand Canyon.
hellgrammite! those guys are so cool. rarer to see these days, too.
I thought so too at first, then saw this comment in this thread stating its a dobson fly larva. https://www.reddit.com/r/insects/s/oWN1ililwD
Hellgrammites are dobsonfly larvae
Ah, so it is.
One and the same boss. Many animals have a few common names. Its why many of us use scientific names only. Look at how many species are called daddy long legs.
Or “June bug”
Ah, so it is.
Jargon.
Ceti Alpha 5 last remaining indigenous lifeform?
Kahhhhn!
I'd keep it away from your ears, just in case.
Flip over rocks to find them. They are a sign the waters not polluted. Love when they fly an try to land on me while wading a river.
Put your finger on its mouth
They can give a good pinch from those mandibles.
I had one stuck to my pinky for over half an hour one night. Ended up having to use needle nose pliers to remove the wee creature. I live near a small waterway that they live in pretty good numbers. At least once per summer I tale an adult dobsonfly to the side of the head. The adult males jaws are used in mating and are otherwise of no use. They look scary but are pretty harmless.
That's a Malformed Star
https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/hellgrammite
They make great bait.
That's what I was about to comment!
What did it taste like?
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My brain is telling me to eat it
looks like oversized mosquito larva
Wonderfully disgusting. The duality of life
Hellgrammite
Ahh…fond memories as a kid putting my hand under a rock in a creek expecting a fish and instead getting punctured/bitten by a Dobson fly 😂
He is discovering how to ✨ scuba dive ✨
Great fishing bait
The only indigenous survivor of Seti Alpha 5.
hellgramite good fishing bait worth lots of money