ID On larvae please

[dmclean2]

I found this little creature on the windowsill out the back then moved it on to the table to photograph it,
It is not unlike the Caddis fly larvae but the material that it has arround it is soft, leafy, and the insect inside has 6 legs and crawled along the table top,
I couldn't ID it so I shelved it for a while but now, thanks to WAB I can get help,
Cheers
Duncan.

[Wild-Woman]

My first thought would be a caddis fly if it was in water of course but I believe there is a particular moth who's larva has a protective jacket like this. I shall go and look at my moth books to see if I can find it for you.

[Ian Gray]

I'D guess at one of the Lacewings, how big was it.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Ian Gray

I'D guess at one of the Lacewings, how big was it.

Yes, I think it's one of lacewing larvae too!

[Dogghound]

Yes Chryopidae larva. The "case" is made from prey that it has eaten i.e aphids. The empty skins are put around its body to aid camouflage

[Wild-Woman]

Well. That's something else I've learnt.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Yes Chryopidae larva. The "case" is made from prey that it has eaten i.e aphids. The empty skins are put around its body to aid camouflage

another reason they do it is to avoid attack by ants. Black ants (a some other species) farm the aphids for the mildew they produce and protect the aphids from there predators, attacking them until they leave the plant. The lacewing lays its eggs on the plant on the end stalks where the ants cant find them (it also helps stop the lavae eating each other before they've all hatched!). Then when the larave hatches it starts to feed on the aphids, sucking then=m dry with its jaws. Then its sticks whats left of the aphid and/or the lacewings poo on its back. So then when a guarding ant comes along all it detects with its antennae is another aphid and it leaves the lacewing larvae alone. Wonderful thing nature

[dmclean2]

Thank you folks,
for identifying the larva, I am amazed at the accumulative
knowledge on this site and truly appreciate being able to share it with you,
Duncan.
ps: we did have quite a few Green Lacewings - chrysopa pallens in the garden this year.