Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Jul 22, 2009 0:48:50 GMT -5
OK, some of you fisherman probably know this insect because the larvae, helgrammites are a popular fishing bait. The male dobsonfly though is one very large and cool critter. They can't bite with those jaws due to lack of leverage ( used mainly in courtship) but man this bug is almost four inches end to end and very formidable looking at the least. Anyway, a closeup and another with my wife's hand for scale....Mel
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10thumbs
spending too much on rocks
I want to be reincarnated as a dog.
Member since March 2009
Posts: 480
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Post by 10thumbs on Jul 22, 2009 7:57:36 GMT -5
Very cool. I never heard of the bug or the bait before. We don't have them this far North. I had to look him on Wikipedia and read all about the species. I love bugs. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dobsonfly
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Post by texaswoodie on Jul 22, 2009 8:06:14 GMT -5
Neat bug Mel. I don't think we have those here.
Curt
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Post by NatureNut on Jul 22, 2009 8:21:45 GMT -5
I wonder if they smell like stink bugs. Hey Mel, you oughtta send some to Doc, bet he'd like 'em.
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NorthShore-Rocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,004
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Post by NorthShore-Rocks on Jul 22, 2009 8:28:13 GMT -5
Cool bug Mel! We used Helgies back in Indiana for bait.
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colliel82
has rocks in the head
Member since November 2007
Posts: 664
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Post by colliel82 on Jul 22, 2009 10:14:29 GMT -5
You find the neatest things to take pics of. I can't wait to see what shows up next.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2009 10:16:01 GMT -5
I am the first to say that some "bugs" look cool but Im afraid I'd turn myself inside out if that thing crawled on my hand unexpectedly.
Shan
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Post by fishenman on Jul 22, 2009 10:46:59 GMT -5
We were night fishing at Round Valley rs. in New Jersey when one of those bugs hit me in the side of the head. It landed in the boat and totally freaked out my friend and I.
I never knew what it was until now. Thanks Mel, he sure is a creepy one but, interesting too.
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highplainsdrifter
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,266
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Post by highplainsdrifter on Jul 22, 2009 12:04:52 GMT -5
Dang, that thing is weird looking. I'd hate to get bit by it.
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Post by tkrueger3 on Jul 22, 2009 13:08:49 GMT -5
Mel, I'm a native Texan, and 66 years old, raised in the country, and I've never seen one of those! What a weird looking animal. Even though it's probably harmless, if I found one, I don't think I'd want to get close enough to take a picture with my hand next to it! Tom
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Jul 22, 2009 15:11:03 GMT -5
Tom: *S* I'm semi-nocturnal and Texas at midnight, in the country is a strange and wonderful place. This pic was taken about midnight when all the nightlife in Texas is really heating up. The mandibles, though huge, lack the force necessary to penetrate human flesh so this critter, though fearsome in aspect, is quite harmless. The wings of this group with their intricate webbing and beaded effect actually lend the creature a delicate sort of beauty when you observe them up close. Definitely an unearthly beauty though *S*....Mel
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Jul 22, 2009 15:42:33 GMT -5
That's a mature male with the big pinchers- Hellgramites (the laval stage of either sex) or mature females can and will break human skin if provoked to bite. Scary lookin' things in any case.
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Post by stonesthatrock on Jul 22, 2009 18:24:26 GMT -5
bugs, snakes remind me not to come to your house lol
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Post by frane on Jul 22, 2009 19:59:38 GMT -5
Mel, it may be harmless but it would scare the living crud out of me if I came across it! Your wife is a brave lady! Fran
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Post by Tonyterner on Jul 23, 2009 10:27:02 GMT -5
We have helgramites here, I've seen them while fishing, but have never seen the fly they morph into. Thanks for posting this Mel.
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desertdweller
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since August 2006
Posts: 1,803
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Post by desertdweller on Jul 27, 2009 19:45:21 GMT -5
I can honestly say that if something like that came flying at me, somebody would definitely get hurt unless I had a very clear escape route already planned out. ANY bug that is capable of flying and is more than 2 inches in length will send me into a FBLP.
FBLP= Full Bore Linear Panic Like I told Lori, I have been working on a Modified Stationary Panic but I don't think that would cut it if I was face to face with that ugly thing. I'll bet that bug is just like the rest of those big bad flying things, none of them can land worth a s*&% and usually end up in someones hair. Are they in Arizona too? Please say no.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Jul 27, 2009 21:18:10 GMT -5
*L* FBLP, I like that! You do have them in Arizona but the larvae are aquatic so you'd probably encounter them while on a fishing campout. The larvae are to me even nastier looking than the adults but we still used to prize them as trout bait. They were good for the really big trout!....Mel
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Jul 29, 2009 21:45:43 GMT -5
Awesome bug Mel, although I wouldn't pick it up either! 10Thumbs, I know we have helgramites here in Wisconsin, as I've collected them for perch fishing. You must have them in Michigan too. They live in muddy water, so you'd never see them unless looking for them. I was told they're dragon fly larvae.
Nate
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Post by sandsman1 on Aug 6, 2009 20:32:30 GMT -5
if that was commin at me you would just hear a squish cause i hate all bugs and spiders, i know thats prob not the nice thing to do but i go into me or him mode when i see shit like that hahaha
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