Fishfly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fishfly |
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| Male fishfly (Chauliodinae ssp). | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Unrecognized taxon (fix): | Chauliodinae |
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Fishflies are fascinating insects that belong to a group called Chauliodinae. They are part of a larger insect family known as Corydalidae. This family also includes their close relatives, dobsonflies. You can often tell fishflies apart from dobsonflies by looking at their jaws and antennae.
Unlike dobsonflies, which can have very large jaws (especially the males), fishflies have jaws that are not as big or noticeable. Male fishflies have special antennae that look feathery. These are much like the antennae of many large moths. One well-known species in North America is Chauliodes pectinicornis, often called the "summer fishfly."
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What Makes Fishflies Special?
Fishflies are quite large insects. Their wings can spread out from about 6 to 8 centimeters (2.5 to 3 inches) wide. They spend most of their lives, which can be several years long, as larvae. As adults, they usually live for up to seven days.
What Do Fishflies Eat?
Fishfly larvae are active hunters in the water. They eat small aquatic animals. This can include tiny vertebrates, which are animals with backbones, like minnows and tadpoles. Adult fishflies might also eat aquatic plants.
The Fishfly Life Cycle
The life of a fishfly begins when the mother lays her eggs. She places them on plants that hang over streams.
Growing Up in Water
As soon as the eggs hatch, the tiny fishfly larvae drop into the water below. Here, they live underwater and hunt for other small aquatic creatures. They are important predators in their watery homes.
Changing into an Adult
When a fishfly larva is ready to change into a pupa, it crawls out of the water. It finds a safe spot on the riverbank. This might be under stones or even beneath the bark of trees. Inside these hidden places, the larva transforms into a pupa. After some time, the pupa will emerge as an adult fishfly.
Where Do Fishflies Live Around the World?
There are about 15 different groups, or genera, of fishflies. These groups include nearly 110 known species. You can find fishflies in many parts of the world.
Some types of fishflies live in the Americas. Others are found in places like Madagascar and South Africa. You can also find different kinds of fishflies in Australia and parts of Asia. Each region has its own unique species adapted to its environment.
Fishflies from the Past: Ancient Fossils
Scientists have discovered fossils of ancient fishflies. These fossils help us learn about how fishflies have changed over millions of years. For example, some fossil fishflies were found in places like Russia and China. These ancient relatives lived during the Early Cretaceous and Middle/Late Jurassic periods. This means they were around when dinosaurs roamed the Earth!
