dobsonfly (redirected from dobsonflies)

dob·son·fly  (dbsn-fl)

n.

An insect (Corydalus cornutus) having four large, many-veined wings and in the male long, pincerlike mandibles.

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dobsonfly [ˈdɒbs^ənˌflaɪ]

n pl -flies

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) US and Canadian a large North American neuropterous insect, Corydalis cornutus: the male has elongated horn-like mouthparts and the larva (a hellgrammite or dobson) is used as bait by anglers: suborder Megaloptera

[origin uncertain, perhaps after the surname Dobson]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

dobsonfly - large soft-bodied insect having long slender mandibles in the male; aquatic larvae often used as bait Corydalus cornutus, dobson fly, dobson neuropteran, neuropteron, neuropterous insect - insect having biting mouthparts and four large membranous wings with netlike veins Corydalus, genus Corydalus, genus Corydalis, Corydalis - type genus of the Corydalidae