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Corydalus cornutus
I was walking down the stairs in our office cabin in Zongolica when I thought I was something highly camouflaged on the underside of the step. I looked closer and saw this insane thing! I can quite honestly say I was flabbergasted. It looked like an alien - I have never in my life seen anything like it. Like half moth half .. I don't know! Something! They way it moved was even more disturbing. Thanks to the identifiers!
Spotted on Jul 28, 2012
Submitted on Jul 28, 2012
6 Comments
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4128/50158...
ForestDragon, would you agree that this looks much like the spotting?
Platyneuromus is the species shown in that photo, http://tolweb.org/Platyneuromus
I think a key feature that disproves my suggestion is the markings on the neck; the light dorsal side with dark coloration on the lateral sides. Red jaws and eyes, matching in colour, with features on the dorsal wings that suggest an orange colouration with two sets of markings, one pair of spots, and one pair of lines that change angle to meet in the middle.
I'm scouring to find a good reference for any dobsonflies outside of the Eastern and Asian types, but it appears that this will be easy enough to find once someone comes across a reference.
Your insect is much more colorful than the Eastern Dobsonfly.
See here:
Eastern Dobsonfly:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/421671/bgp...
http://bugguide.net/node/view/423241/bgi...
Hopefully, someone can find a good reference for you for this beautiful insect. I am having a hard time finding a good source with listings and pictures of Central American Dobsonflies.
I share your concerns about the colouration, however I put myself under the assumption that the difference in colours was a photo effect. Not many dobsonfly species are well cataloged other than the Eastern, which is found in Mexico as well.
I would enjoy to see the second image as well; it seems like it agrees with you more than me, ForestDragon.
I agree this is a female Dobsonfly but I think this is a different species than the Corydalus cornutus. The Eastern Dobsonfly is mostly gray. Gemma, could you try reloading the second image. I can't see it.
Thank you!!!