| Re: Strange protrusions on hoverfly larva
Bruce, the protrusions are the larva's spiracles - the structures it breathes through. Most fly larva have evolved spiracles just at the hind end rather than on each segment because they spend most of their time head down in some manner of filth. Hoverfly's have obviously retained this set-up.
In many species, the spiracles are very important in identification.
Good anatomical photo by the way.
Ross
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