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DESCRIPTION

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Biology: Larvae (called hellgrammites) occur in streams, generally under stones.
Identification: The adults are large insects with front wings over 2 inches long; males have mandibles about 3 times as long as head. Large soft-bodied insects with clumsy, fluttery flight; generally found near strams. BL usually > 1". 4th tarsal segment cylindrical. Fishflies (??) have front wings shorter than 2", and may have serrate or pectinate antennae; larvae have a pair of hooked anal prolegs and 8 pairs of lateral filaments; they lack a terminal filament.
Associated Taxa: One genus (Dysmicohermes) occurs in California.
Importance: larvae are often used as fish bait.