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Megaloptera

Common name:

Alderflies, dobsonflies, and fishflies

Distribution:

Every continent except Antarctica and most diverse in temperate regions

Habitat:

Larvae live in diverse aquatic habitats including streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and swamps while other stages are terrestrial and stay close to aquatic habitats

Diet:

Larvae consume various small aquatic animals like insects, clams, worms, and crustaceans while adults feed on flower nectar or plant sap. Some adults may not feed at all.

Number of species globally

300

Number of species in Hong Kong :

4

Morphology
(how to recognize them) :

-Large compound eyes
-Long pronotum (“neck”)
-Forewings are larger than hindwings
-Hindwing basal area is broad

Diagram

Did you know ?

Some species have medical value. The larvae of Megaloptera are often preferred as live bait by fishermen due to their high activity and long life on a hook, making them more likely to attract fish.

Gallery

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