Malagasy Dobsonfly vs Giant Dobsonfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Malagasy Dobsonfly Giant Dobsonfly
Scientific Name Neochauliodes madagascariensis Acanthacorydalis fruhstorferi
Order Megaloptera Megaloptera
Family Corydalidae Corydalidae
Size 40-60 mm wingspan 60-90 mm body, 210 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Madagascar Asia
Conservation Data Deficient Data Deficient

Malagasy Dobsonfly

A large, brown-winged insect with broad wings held tent-like over the body at rest. Males may have elongated mandibles. Larvae are aquatic and known as hellgrammites.

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Did You Know?

The aquatic larvae are considered indicators of clean water quality, as they cannot tolerate polluted streams.

Giant Dobsonfly

The largest aquatic insect in the world by wingspan, found in streams in Vietnam and China. Males have enormous mandibles resembling reindeer antlers.

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Did You Know?

With a wingspan of 21 cm, this is the worlds largest aquatic insect — its bizarre mandibles resemble reindeer antlers and are used exclusively for grappling rival males.