Giant Chinese Dobsonfly (Acanthacorydalis fruhstorferi)
The larvae are called helgrammites and are common at my local river. I captured 2 to watch them pupate. The male has large mandibles for fighting with other males but cannot bite effectively. I did not hold the female as she has a powerful bite. I am amazed that these giant bugs live locally! (NE America) They are found in other regions too.
What we have here is the Dobsonfly. An insect that can reach 12.5 cm (5 inches) in length, with a wingspan that can reach twice that. The most famous one is the Eastern Dobsonfly, specifically the male of the species, for it is he that has those huge, scary tusks.
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11 December 2023
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