Dobsonflies are aquatic insects belonging to the Order Megaloptera. They are long-lived insect predators (often a 3-year life cycle), living their larval stages in streams and the adult stage terrestrially. They are dependent on riparian trees or other structures overhanging a stream to complete their life cycle. GLC scientists are investigating whether females show a tree species preference for oviposition. Understanding the role of the riparian corridor tree community composition for these important aquatic insects may provide land-use managers with information on near-stream habitat management.
