Order Megaloptera (Alderflies, dobsonflies)

Code QM029999

Stream-dwelling megalopteran insects with distinctive, paired, jointed abdominal gills on segments 1-7 and a single caudal filament (cf. Corydalidae). There are are no prolegs on the apical abdominal segment, in contrast to the Corydalidae.

Larval Sialidae are not often encountered, but are more common in cool upland streams, with some reports from depositional areas of slow-flowing streams. The larvae are predatory.

There are two genera in Australia, Austrosialis and Stenosialis, both apparently endemic but related to taxa on other Gondwanan land masses. There are four known species, one ranging from Cape York to southern Victoria, one in Tasmania and two confined to north-eastern Queensland.

References:

Theischinger, G. (1983) The adults of the Australian Megaloptera. Aquatic Insects 5 : 77-98.

Theischinger, G. (1991) Megaloptera. pp. 516-520. In: CSIRO, Insects of Australia . Volume 1. Melbourne University Press, Carlton, Victoria.