water butt creatures unknown

Emu · #1 (**permalink**) 15-06-2011, 09:18 AM

Found yesterday moving from down pipe into water butt. They are white have long tails and 2 orange horns. They move like caterpillars but are making for the water in the butt Location South Wales Do not look garden friendly.

Paul mabbott · #2 (**permalink**) 15-06-2011, 09:38 AM

Rat-tailed maggots or sludge-worms: the larvae of certain hoverflies, commonly Eristalis tenax. The 'tail' is actually a breathing siphon - acts like a snorkel allowing the larvae to feed in anoxic sludge while receiving oxygen from the surface.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emu

Found yesterday moving from down pipe into water butt. They are white have long tails and 2 orange horns. They move like caterpillars but are making for the water in the butt Location South Wales Do not look garden friendly.

PS: they'll do no harm in the garden!