Try for Free
tab list
Picture Insect
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Home Application Download FAQ
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Icon about
About
Icon about
General Info
Icon about
Search Tips
Icon about
Harmful or Not
Icon about
Common FAQs
Icon about
Similar Insects
Icon about
Popular Insects
Toe biter

Toe biter

Archichauliodes diversus

A species of Archichauliodes

The larval form of Archichauliodes diversus is commonly known by the name toe biter, which refers to its pincer-like powerful jaws. The larvae and adults have totally different lifestyles. The larvae live in streams and feed on aquatic invertebrates while adults can only survive on lands and would die soon after spawning.

General Info About Toe biter
Instantly identify insects with a snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and risk assessment, gaining quick insights on bite assessment, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safe interaction tips, etc.
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Attributes of Toe biter
Colors
Brown
Habitat
stream; canopy; bush
Larva Food Source
Small aquatic insects, larvae of other insects, tadpoles, small fish, amphibian larvae
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
Not reported
Predatory
The Toe biter typically preys on other arthropods and does not directly affect plants.
Biting animal or pet
Yes
Mouthparts Type
Chewing mouthparts
qrcode
Img download isoImg download android
Rectangle
Species Status of Toe biter
It is native to New Zealand.
Rectangle
Distribution Area of Toe biter
New Zealand
Rectangle
Appearance of Toe biter
The thorax and head are black and flattened, and the head has a large set of mandibles. The larvae are sturdy animals with heavily sclerotised heads and thoracic segments. The abdomen is long and light in colour and it has 8 pairs of tentacle-like gills projecting from abdominal segments 1-8. Like other fishfly larvae they have anal prolegs with a pair of terminal hooks which they use to attach themselves to substrate, and they lack a terminal filament. The first stage of the life cycle is the egg which is light yellow and cylindrical in appearance and shape when it is first laid. It then turns colour when open to air to dark brown. Larvae are roughly around 2 mm when they hatch, and can grow to around 4 cm. It has 8 pairs of ‘gills’ that run down the abdomen which acts as the respiration system. Although the pupa is similar to the adults, it has a bigger build and undeveloped wings. The colour changes in a matter of hours to days, starting out pale in colour then changing to dark brown.
ImageImageImage

How to Identify Toe biter?

Rectangle
Life Cycle of Toe biter
Egg The egg of toe biter is typically laid in or near aquatic environments. It's small, and the color can vary, often camouflaging with the surroundings. The embryo develops within, transforming into a larva.
Larva The larva of toe biter appears elongated with chewing mouthparts, adapted for an aquatic carnivorous diet. Larvae grow significantly, moulting multiple times. Each instar brings them closer to pupation, changing in size and sometimes color.
Pupal The pupa of toe biter undergoes drastic transformation within a cocoon-like structure, usually in a terrestrial habitat near water. During this immobile phase, tissues reorganize. The pupa remains camouflaged and vulnerable.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult toe biter showcases wings and functional reproductive organs. Its body is hardened, the coloration often changes, and now the adult is focused on reproduction and dispersal.
Rectangle
Predators of Adult Toe biter
Birds, bats, spiders, rodents
Rectangle
Interesting Facts About Toe biter
Toe biter larvae can remain underwater for months by spinning protective cases from silk and debris, creating a unique aquatic cocoon for development.
Rectangle
Scientific Classification of Toe biter
Tips for Finding Toe biter
Your ultimate guide to understanding insects
Unlock the secrets of insect life cycles, habitats, behaviors and observation tips!!
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Youth Habitat of Toe biter
Freshwater Habitats
Rectangle
Habitat Preferences of Toe biter Through Different Life Stages
The larvae of toe biter are aquatic, typically residing in streams and rivers with clean, well-oxygenated water and rocky or gravelly substrates where they can hide and hunt small aquatic organisms. To find larvae, search under rocks or in sediment in these flowing freshwaters. The pupal stage often occurs in moist areas near the larval habitat, such as under rocks or logs or in soil at the water’s edge. Seeking pupae requires searching for these damp terrestrial areas adjacent to streams or rivers. Adults are usually found nearby aquatic habitats since they are not strong flyers. They rest in vegetation or on the ground during the day; thus, conducting searches in the evening when they are most active and around lights might yield sightings of adult toe biter.
Are Toe biter harmful?
Your Complete Pest Control Guide
Discover effective tips for preventing and eliminating pest infestations to keep bugs away from your home.
Download the App for Free
Common Questions People Also Ask
Get Quick Insect Answers with a Snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and answers on bites, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safety tips!
Download the App for Free
More Insects that are Similar to Toe biter
Protohermes grandis
Protohermes grandis

Protohermes grandis is a large, colorful species of dobsonfly occurring in China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. “The TDF for P.grandis larvae suggests that their low TPs in nature were caused by incorporation of vascular plant-derived amino acids (with a different N-15 profile from that of algae) and not by an unusually low TDF or by the effects of the satiation/starvation on amino acid metabolism.

Read More
Arrow
Eastern Dobsonfly
Eastern Dobsonfly

The eastern Dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus) is best known for its large, sickle-like mandibles. They are also prized as bait for fish like smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu). They are considered beneficial insects, so their usage as bait has been restricted in many states.

Read More
Arrow
Dark fishfly
Dark fishfly

Nigronia serricornis is an insect from the family Corydalidae, which belongs to the order of large-winged species (Megaloptera). The species is found in the mid-south of Canada and the east of the United States.

Read More
Arrow
A hellgrammite
A hellgrammite

Neohermes concolor is an insect from the family Corydalidae, which belongs to the order large-winged (Megaloptera). The species is found in the eastern United States.

Read More
Arrow
Neohermes filicornis
Neohermes filicornis

Neohermes filicornis is a species of fishfly in the family Corydalidae. It is found in North America.

Read More
Arrow
Summer fishfly
Summer fishfly

The summer fishfly (Chauliodes pectinicornis) looks strange, but is not dangerous. Unlike many other insects, its naiads have gills and live in water for 2 or 3 years before emerging in the hottest days of summer. The adult is usually observed by the water in the summer.

Read More
Arrow
Spring Fishfly
Spring Fishfly

The spring Fishfly (Chauliodes rastricornis) spends most of its time near calm bodies of water. Living a simple life, their main oddity is laying their eggs in a v-shaped pattern so that they may easily enter the water. They spend their time for three weeks in the water, usually around water-soaked logs. Adults usually do not feed, but they may be attracted to moth bait.

Read More
Arrow
Other Popular Insects
Western honey bee
Western honey bee

Western honey bee(Apis mellifera) is the most common species of honeybee in the world. Among the first domesticated insects, its cultural and economic impact on humanity has been vast and far-reaching, providing honey, wax and its services as a pollinator. Western honey bee faces challenges worldwide, such as colony collapse disorder, and populations are thought to be decreasing.

Read More
Arrow
Monarch butterfly
Monarch butterfly

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is the most recognizable butterfly in North America. It is best known for its appearance, but should be better known for the fact that it has a 3000-mile migration that takes the butterfly 4 generations to complete. Their diet is also a natural deterrent for predators, as they eat milkweed, a poison that induces vomiting.

Read More
Arrow
Japanese rhinoceros beetle
Japanese rhinoceros beetle

The japanese rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus) is a massive beetle about the size of the palm of a hand. It's distinguished by its long Y-shaped horn, which it uses to fight other males with. It's a nocturnal bug that feeds on sap and sweet fruits. This species is sometimes kept as a pet due to its unique appearance and simple care requirements.

Read More
Arrow
Silkworm
Silkworm

The silken threads produced by silkworm during its larval stage have been highly coveted for millennia, manifesting as a luxurious fabric in human society. Remarkably, this creature has a singular diet, feeding exclusively on the leaves of its primary host plant from which it extracts the necessary nutrients to facilitate its transition into a non-feeding, winged adult.

Read More
Arrow
Menelaus blue morpho
Menelaus blue morpho

Menelaus blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) is a gorgeous butterfly with large, royal blue wings. Linnaeus named the genus Morpho the Aphrodite-Ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty for its extreme beauty. It is native to tropical rainforests. Though many butterfly gardens now cultivate them in captivity, there are still many people who never get a chance to see them.

Read More
Arrow
Atlas moth
Atlas moth

While the atlas moth (Attacus atlas) can't tell you where to find your country on the map, it does earn its name through other means. It is one of the largest moths in the world, with a wingspan that is far larger than its body, creating an abnormal comparison. In India, their silk is gathered in a non-commercial capacity and is considered to be more durable than the domestic silkworm.

Read More
Arrow
Flying peacock spider
Flying peacock spider

Both sexes reach about 5 mm in body length. Females and immatures of both sexes are brown but have color patterns by which they can be distinguished from related species. Also, the males dance to attract females.

Read More
Arrow
Multicolored asian ladybeetle
Multicolored asian ladybeetle

Often confused for the ladybug, multicolored asian ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis) is a separate species that, unlike the ladybug, is a household pest. It is considered particularly annoying for its habit of returning to places from which it is removed. One of the most variable species in the world, there are many different colors and patterns multicolored asian ladybeetle may display, making identification potentially difficult.

Read More
Arrow