what is a fish fly

A fish fly is an insect that belongs to the subfamily Chauliodinae, which is part of the megalopteran family Corydalidae. Fish flies are aquatic insects, and their larvae live underwater for more than two years, feeding on algae and plants. Fishfly larvae look a lot like hellgrammites (dobsonfly larvae) but usually do not grow quite so large. Unlike hellgrammites, they lack gill tufts below the abdomen, and the abdomen tip is forked, with 2 short, fleshy tails, and each tail has a pair of hooks. Adult fishflies are quite large, with a wingspan of 2.5 to 3 inches (6 to 8 cm) and are usually light-colored (gray, tan, rusty) . Fishflies are often found near the water, in various communities, and are attracted to lights on warm summer nights. Fishflies are sometimes called shadflies or mayflies. Fishflies are a sign of a healthy ecosystem, as they only emerge in places that have clean water, good oxygen levels, and not a lot of nutrient runoff. Fishflies lay their eggs upon vegetation overhanging streams, and when ready to transform to pupae, they crawl out upon the bank and are then found in cavities under stones or even under the bark of trees. Fishflies are not considered pests, and their entire lifespan is several years, but most of this time is spent as larvae.