Hellgrammite vs South African Alderfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hellgrammite South African Alderfly
Scientific Name Nigronia serricornis Leptosialis africana
Order Megaloptera Megaloptera
Family Corydalidae Sialidae
Size 40-60 mm wingspan 10-14 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Mountains
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions Eastern North America Africa
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

Hellgrammite

A dark-colored dobsonfly whose larvae, known as hellgrammites, are prized as fishing bait. Adults are smaller than Corydalus and have serrated antennae.

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Did You Know?

Hellgrammite larvae are so effective as fishing bait that they are commercially collected and sold to anglers.

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.