| Acanthacorydalis fruhstorferi | |
|---|---|
| |
| Female | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Megaloptera |
| Family: | Corydalidae |
| Genus: | Acanthacorydalis |
| Species: | A. fruhstorferi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Acanthacorydalis fruhstorferi van der Weele, 1907
| |
Acanthacorydalis fruhstorferi is a species of dobsonfly native to Vietnam and China. It holds the title of largest aquatic insect by wingspan according to the Guinness Book of World Records at 21.6 cm.[1][2] The title formerly belonged to the Brazilian damselfly Microstigma rotundatum.
Acanthacorydalis fruhstorferi was first described by Herman Willem van der Weele in 1907 from a specimen from "Than-Moi" (probably in Lạng Sơn Province[3]), Vietnam. It is found throughout Southern China (Fujian, Guangxi, Guangdong, Guizhou, Jiangxi, Yunnan, and Zhejiang) and Northern Vietnam.[4]
Liu and associates proposed in 2005 that the species is most closely related to Acanthacorydalis sinensis citing morphological similarities relative to similar Chinese genera of Acanthacorydalis. Specifically the wing and body colouration, yet differed by A.sinensis's lack of sagittal dorsal division.[4]
- ^ "Largest aquatic insect (by wingspan)". Guinness World Records. 12 July 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
- ^ "China receives second Guinness World Record for large insects". chinaplus.cri.cn. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
The IMWC also has the world's largest aquatic insect, a dobsonfly (Acanthacorydalis fruhstorferi) with a wingspan of 21.6 cm.
- ^ French Government archive (retrieved 22 September 2021)
- ^ a b Liu, Xing Yue; Yang, Ding; Ge, Si Qin; Yang, Xing Ke. "Phylogenetic review of the Chinese species of Acanthacorydalis (Megaloptera, Corydalidae)". Retrieved 13 February 2020.