Production of Dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus) Larvae in the New River of West Virginia

Annual production was quantified for age-1 and age-2 larvae of the dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus) in the New River, West Virginia, between Bluestone Dam and Sandstone Falls. This population had a two-year life cycle, which, when compared to other reported life cycle patterns, suggested that larval growth and voltinism is governed by latitudinal temperature effects. The annual production of ages −1 and −2 larvae in the New River was about 3.1 g live weight · m−2 · year−1 (6.0 g · m−2 · year−1 in riffles; 0.3 g · m−2 · year−1 in pools). Previously reported annual harvest of such larvae by commercial bait catchers and anglers was equivalent to about 8% of this production.