JungleDragon is a nature and wildlife community for photographers, travellers and anyone who loves nature. We're genuine, free, ad-free and beautiful.

Join

Corydalus armatus - closeup, La Planada Nature Reserve, Colombia We were opening our first moth night at La Planada Nature Reserve when this enormous insect came flying erratically towards the light. We had never seen anything like it, and it totally freaked us out, even more so when having a closer look at it. <br />
<br />
This is a dobsonfly. Males have enormous mandibles, which are in fact too large, they can&#039;t be used for anything other than sexual selection. They look hellish, therefore they name their children hellgrammites.<br />
<br />
So although they send even the toughest machete farmer running, they are completely harmless to people. They are part of the fascinating insect order megaloptera:<br />
<a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/wildlife/browse/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/megaloptera" rel="nofollow">https://www.jungledragon.com/wildlife/browse/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/megaloptera</a><br />
<figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/76496/corydalus_armatus_la_planada_nature_reserve_colombia.html" title="Corydalus armatus, La Planada Nature Reserve, Colombia"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2/76496_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=8xME5iTReESzzwuFj5hU11wsRIw%3D" width="200" height="134" alt="Corydalus armatus, La Planada Nature Reserve, Colombia We were opening our first moth night at La Planada Nature Reserve when this enormous insect came flying erratically towards the light. We had never seen anything like it, and it totally freaked us out, even more so when having a closer look at it. <br />
<br />
This is a dobsonfly. Males have enormous mandibles, which are in fact too large, they can&#039;t be used for anything other than sexual selection. They look hellish, therefore they name their children hellgrammites.<br />
<br />
So although they send even the toughest machete farmer running, they are completely harmless to people. They are part of the fascinating insect order megaloptera:<br />
https://www.jungledragon.com/wildlife/browse/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/megaloptera<br />
https://www.jungledragon.com/image/76497/corydalus_armatus_-_closeup_la_planada_nature_reserve_colombia.html Colombia,Colombia 2018,Colombia South,Corydalus,Corydalus armatus,Fall,Geotagged,La Planada Nature Reserve,South America" /></a></figure> Colombia,Colombia 2018,Colombia South,Corydalus,Corydalus armatus,Fall,Geotagged,La Planada Nature Reserve,South America Click/tap to enlarge

Corydalus armatus - closeup, La Planada Nature Reserve, Colombia

We were opening our first moth night at La Planada Nature Reserve when this enormous insect came flying erratically towards the light. We had never seen anything like it, and it totally freaked us out, even more so when having a closer look at it.

This is a dobsonfly. Males have enormous mandibles, which are in fact too large, they can't be used for anything other than sexual selection. They look hellish, therefore they name their children hellgrammites.

So although they send even the toughest machete farmer running, they are completely harmless to people. They are part of the fascinating insect order megaloptera:
https://www.jungledragon.com/wildlife/browse/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/megaloptera

Corydalus armatus, La Planada Nature Reserve, Colombia We were opening our first moth night at La Planada Nature Reserve when this enormous insect came flying erratically towards the light. We had never seen anything like it, and it totally freaked us out, even more so when having a closer look at it. <br />
<br />
This is a dobsonfly. Males have enormous mandibles, which are in fact too large, they can't be used for anything other than sexual selection. They look hellish, therefore they name their children hellgrammites.<br />
<br />
So although they send even the toughest machete farmer running, they are completely harmless to people. They are part of the fascinating insect order megaloptera:<br />
https://www.jungledragon.com/wildlife/browse/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/megaloptera<br />
https://www.jungledragon.com/image/76497/corydalus_armatus_-_closeup_la_planada_nature_reserve_colombia.html Colombia,Colombia 2018,Colombia South,Corydalus,Corydalus armatus,Fall,Geotagged,La Planada Nature Reserve,South America

    comments (4)

  1. It has a tiny insect on its left mandible! Posted 6 years ago
    1. What makes you think its tiny ;) Posted 6 years ago
      1. After reading your comment on the other photo of this beast, I'm reconsidering...

        A disgusting factoid for you, in entomological collections, taxonomists often cut the abdomen off dobsonflies before pinning them because they rot and smell soooo nasty.
        Posted 6 years ago
        1. I did not know that, that's so strange. Posted 6 years ago

Sign in or Join in order to comment.

Corydalus armatus is a dobsonfly in the Corydalus genus.

Similar species: Alderflies, Fishflies, Etc.
Species identified by Ferdy Christant
View Ferdy Christant's profile

By Ferdy Christant

All rights reserved
Uploaded Mar 22, 2019. Captured Oct 28, 2018 19:42 in Unnamed Road, Ricaurte, NariƱo, Colombia.
  • NIKON D850
  • f/11.0
  • 1/60s
  • ISO64
  • 105mm