Australian Dobsonfly vs South African Alderfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Australian Dobsonfly South African Alderfly
Scientific Name Archichauliodes diversus Leptosialis africana
Order Megaloptera Megaloptera
Family Corydalidae Sialidae
Size 50-75 mm wingspan 10-14 mm
Habitat Forests Mountains
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions Australia, New Zealand Africa
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

Australian Dobsonfly

A large, dark dobsonfly found in clean streams across southeastern Australia. Larvae are important predators in cool forest streams.

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Did You Know?

It is found on both sides of the Tasman Sea, occurring in both Australia and New Zealand.

South African Alderfly

One of the few alderfly species found in the Southern Hemisphere, occurring in clean mountain streams of South Africa. Adults are small with dark wings.

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Did You Know?

Southern Hemisphere alderflies are so rare and poorly studied that basic aspects of their biology remain unknown to science.