Q: We found this insect on our property in Dawsonville. Any idea what it could be?

A: Nice photo!!

It’s a male dobsonfly, an unusual insect found near mountain streams. I can see one in your photo background. I know it’s a male due to the long mandibles. Don’t pick one up: those pinchers HURT!

The larvae of the dobsonfly is a scary creature known as a hellgrammite. You can find them among jumbles of loose stones in a stream.

Fisherfolk have found hellgrammites to be prize fish bait.

Eastern Dobsonfly

dobsonfly