What is "alderfly"

alderfly \al"der*fly`\, Alder fly \Al"der fly\

1. Any of numerous dark-colored neuropterous insects of the genus Sialis or allied genera. They have predaceous aquatic larv[ae], which are used for bait.

2. (Angling) An artificial fly with brown mottled wings, body of peacock harl, and black legs.

n. 1 A member of any one of the sixty-six species of the ''(taxlink Sialidae family noshow=1)'' family of megalopteran insects, each specimen of which has a body length not exceeding one inch and possesses long filamentous antennae and four large dark wings. 2 (cx angling English) An artificial fly with brown mottled wings, body of peacock harl, and black legs.

n. dark-colored insect having predaceous aquatic larvae [syn: alder fly, Sialis lutaria]

Alderflies are megalopteran insects of the family Sialidae. They are closely related to the dobsonflies and fishflies as well as to the prehistoric Euchauliodidae. All living alderflies—about 66 species altogether—are part of the subfamily Sialinae, which contains between one and seven extant genera according to different scientists' views. But in most classifications, all or almost all of these are treated as subgenera of Sialis.