🦷 Dobsonflies & Alderflies

North American Alderfly

Sialis infumata

About 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.

How to Identify North American Alderfly

North American Alderfly (Sialis infumata) belongs to the order Megaloptera, family Sialidae. Adults typically measure 15-20 mm wingspan.

North American Alderfly Habitat

North American Alderfly is found in rivers & streams habitats, particularly across Eastern North America. This species has adapted to thrive in its preferred environment, where it can find suitable food sources and shelter.

North American Alderfly Diet and Feeding

North American Alderfly is a predatory species that actively hunts and feeds on other insects and small invertebrates. As a predator, it helps control populations of pest species and maintains ecological balance.

Where Is North American Alderfly Found?

North American Alderfly can be found in Eastern North America, where it inhabits rivers & streams environments. Its distribution is influenced by climate, food availability, and habitat suitability.

Distribution Map

Where North American Alderfly can be found

Is North American Alderfly Dangerous?

North American Alderfly is generally harmless to humans. It does not bite or sting and poses no significant health risk. Like most insects, it prefers to avoid human contact and will typically flee rather than confront a perceived threat.

North American Alderfly Role in Nature

North American Alderfly serves as a natural predator, helping to control populations of other insects. Predatory insects are valuable in both natural ecosystems and agriculture, where they reduce the numbers of pest species without the need for chemical pesticides.

Seasonal Activity

Jan
Feb
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Dec
Peak activity Moderate Low / dormant

Frequently Asked Questions About North American Alderfly

What does North American Alderfly look like?

The North American Alderfly typically measures 15-20 mm wingspan.

Where is North American Alderfly found?

The North American Alderfly is found in Eastern North America and typically inhabits rivers & streams environments.

What does North American Alderfly eat?

The North American Alderfly is a predator that hunts and feeds on other insects and small invertebrates.

Is North American Alderfly dangerous to humans?

The North American Alderfly is generally harmless to humans. It does not bite or sting and poses no significant health risk.

What is an interesting fact about North American Alderfly?

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

Cite This Page

APA:
InsectDiscover. (2026). North American Alderfly (Sialis infumata). Retrieved from https://insectdiscover.com/insect/north-american-alderfly

MLA:
"North American Alderfly." InsectDiscover, https://insectdiscover.com/insect/north-american-alderfly.