North American Alderfly vs Chinese Dobsonfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute North American Alderfly Chinese Dobsonfly
Scientific Name Sialis infumata Neoneuromus ignobilis
Order Megaloptera Megaloptera
Family Sialidae Corydalidae
Size 15-20 mm wingspan 40-60 mm body
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions Eastern North America Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

North American Alderfly

A small, dark-winged alderfly common near ponds and slow streams across eastern North America. Adults are clumsy fliers often found resting on streamside plants.

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Did You Know?

Larvae spend one to two years burrowing in pond mud before emerging for a brief adult life of just days.

Chinese Dobsonfly

A large dark-colored dobsonfly found in streams across China and Southeast Asia. It is less well known than its North American relatives but equally impressive in size.

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Did You Know?

In parts of China, dobsonfly larvae are collected from streams and used in traditional medicine as a remedy for various ailments.