Dobsonflies

/ˈdɑbsənflaɪz/ noun

Definition

Plural of dobsonfly; large aquatic insects with long mandibles, found near streams and rivers.

Etymology

Named after an obscure character or possibly after the Dobson family in entomology. The term combines an origin name with 'fly,' the insect category.

Kelly Says

Dobsonflies are aquatic horror-movie material — the larva (called a hellgrammite) looks like a prehistoric monster with pincers and gills, yet fishermen use them as bait because trout love them.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.