FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
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Fishflies are flies found mostly in North America. The scientific name of a fishfly is Chauliodes rastricornis with 'chauliodes', meaning 'remarkable tooth' and 'rasticornus', meaning 'rake-horned'. Another scientific name for them is Chauliodes pectinicornis. This species of fly has a large body and long wings. Summer fishflies are a common species in North America with an interesting life cycle. The antennae of male flies are larger and more feathery compared to females. They also have teeth that look like a comb. Fishflies can pinch which can be painful but does not cause long-term problems, and so they are considered to be harmless.
Female dobsonflies and fishflies look very similar. Male dobsonflies have large pincers while fishflies do not. Adult fishflies are normally found in vegetation that lines streams to be near food that their larvae need to survive. They are often drawn to various lights at night. Adult fishflies don't live for long and die shortly after laying eggs. Different marine environments are used by various species.
The majority of a fishfly's life is spent in the water, developing through juvenile stages with only a short period, often less than a week, spent as a winged adult. This life cycle is similar to many other insects with aquatic larvae. Females lay their fertilized eggs on plants or trees that hang over the water and the larvae immediately jump into the water after hatching. They will survive as aquatic larvae for many years as they feed, mature, and molt. They migrate from the stream to pupate in a protected location, which may be in the dirt, decaying wood, or even behind loose bark.
A few scientists claim that fishflies and mayflies are the same, however it is largely considered that they are two different species of flies. You can tell these two flies apart by their appearance. An adult fishfly is larger and has a different shaped body compared to a mayfly.
If you like reading about animals, do check out our articles on red paper wasp and botfly.
Fishflies are large insects with long antennae. They belong to the family Corydalidae and order Megaloptera.
Fishflies belong to the class of Insecta. They are a part of the dobsonfly and alderfly group of insects.
The exact number of fishflies in the world is not known.
A fishfly is found in North America where there are about 18 species of the family.
A fishfly is generally found near water bodies such as streams, rivers, and ponds. This is because their larvae require an aquatic habitat. They are mostly found in eastern North America. A summer fishfly can also be found around wet areas.
Fishflies live in large groups of their own species. Their eggs are also laid near water bodies in a huge number. The larvae crawl to the water body as soon as they are hatched and spend most of their time underwater.
A fishfly can live up to seven days as an adult. However, their entire lifespan lasts for several years but most of this time is spent in the larvae stage.
Female fishflies lay eggs on top of a water body. As soon as the eggs hatch, they move to the water in search of food. The larvae stage goes on for several years and fishflies spend most of their time underwater. In comparison, adults lay on the ground and eat worms and beetles from the water body.
The conservation status of fishflies is Not Listed in The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN Red List), so it can be assumed that there is no immediate harm to its population.
Fishflies are usually gray or rusty colored insects and their wings are either clear or very light in color. They have two pairs of wings which both extend towards the end of their bodies. The length of their wings is around 3 in (7.6 cm). Their antennae are the most recognizable characteristic of these flies. The long, feathery antenna makes it different from other flies.
This species of insects is not cute to look at. The antennae and size often scare people who consider them to be harmful.
Although not much is known about their communication process, fishflies often use their jaws or mandibles to fight. Therefore, it can be understood that they use their body to communicate.
A fishfly is 1-2 in (2.5-5 cm) in length, however, its wingspan is about 3 in (7.6 cm). It is about double the size of an average honey bee.
Since fishflies spend most of their time in the water, the speed at which they can fly is not known.
The exact weight of fishflies is not known.
Fishflies do not have separate names for males and females. However, they have about 15 genera, some of which are called Anachauliodes, Neochauliodes, Ctenochauliodes, and Parachauliodes.
A baby fishfly is called a 'fishfly larva'. These larvae spend most of their time inside water.
Adult fishflies eat dragonflies, larvae of water beetles, clams, mussels, and algae. In contrast, hellgrammites (larvae) prefer decomposing animal and plant matters.
Fishflies can pinch you with their mandibles but are otherwise harmless to humans.
No, this species of fly depends on their natural habitat and they live in groups of their own kind.
Ctenochauliodes is one the of the genera of fishfly. It is one of the few species of insects that is completely cosmopolitan. Females of this genera are slightly bigger than males. Their reproduction process is also slightly different as females fertilize eggs internally. Cat fleas are solitary creatures. A Ctenocephalides felis, in its adult state, spends much of its time in the host's sleeping area, only hopping onto it when it has to eat.
The flying season for adult flies typically starts during spring.
A fishfly larva is used as a natural bait for fish.
Adult dobsonflies and fishflies are difficult to find because they are only around for a few weeks every year.
The presence of fishfly larvae in streams means that the aquatic health of that water body is good. They are considered to indicate whether streams are healthy because they cannot survive in polluted water. Dobsonflies and fishflies are similar in their lifestyle.
Dobsonflies and fishflies are similar to look at. However, dobsonflies are slightly larger than fishflies. This is one of the primary reasons why people often confuse the two. Both these species (dobsonflies and fishflies) undergo complete metamorphosis.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other arthropods including puss moth, or mayfly.
You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our house fly coloring pages.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chauliodinae
https://uwm.edu/field-station/fishfly/
https://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.php?identification=Fishfly
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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