Dobsonfly vs Rock Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dobsonfly | Rock Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Corydalus cornutus | Temnothorax rugatulus |
| Order | Neuroptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Corydalidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 40-55 mm body, 125 mm wingspan | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Mountains |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Western United States, Mexico |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Dobsonfly
Large insects with intimidating mandibles in males that are actually too large to bite effectively. Aquatic hellgrammite larvae are prized as fishing bait and indicate clean water.
Did You Know?
Male dobsonflies have terrifying mandibles up to 40 mm long, but they are so large the males cannot actually generate enough force to pinch — the females bite harder.
Rock Ant
A tiny dark ant that nests in rock crevices at high elevations in western North America. Colonies contain about 200 workers and exhibit collective decision-making. Workers are dark brown with rugose sculpture on the body.
Did You Know?
Studies showed that about 40% of workers in a colony are consistently inactive, serving as a reserve labor force.