Snakeflies are found only in western North America. Larvae live under the bark of forest, ornamental and fruit trees and can be very helpful predators in fruit orchards. Adults also are predaceous.

What do Snakeflys do?

Although predators, snakeflies rarely bite people and can't sting. Beneficial to us, they help control other insects, such as aphids and small beetle grubs, that damage garden and forest vegetation that people value and appreciate.

Are snakeflies bad?

Snakeflies may look formidable, especially that tiny female with her "stinger" which is only an egg-laying device; in reality they are "way cool" insects harmless to humans. ... You may end up killing 100 of your insect friends while in pursuit of just one so-called "pest."