Larvae id

cheshiregraham · #1 (**permalink**) 31-07-2010, 06:06 PM

Please help id what I think may be a sort of beetle larvae in my South Cheshire garden this afternoon.
Nearest thing I can find similar to it is a Devils Coach Horse . However this was about 4cms long,head looked like a flattened spade no antennae or eyes visible, all six legs on front section, large ridged abdomen about 2cms long it was brown coloured all over. Found on sand area of a large garden on ground near a pond. I have searched all the basic id books I have to no avail and I am intrigued to know what it is.

ian at lings · #2 (**permalink**) 31-07-2010, 06:13 PM

You could try Googling "Tiger Beetle Larvae" & see if that's anything like it.

cheshiregraham · #3 (**permalink**) 31-07-2010, 06:35 PM

Thanks Ian, not yet found pic of Tiger Beetle larvae only the beetle itself, still looking.
I did find a pic of a Great Diving Beetle larvae which looked almost identical. I also read they come out of the water to pupate then go back in as a beetle. Is this the right time of year for this to be happening? Is this a possible solution?My pond is about 10 yards from where I found the larvae but it would have had a very steep climb up a grassy bank to get to where it was.

ian at lings · #4 (**permalink**) 31-07-2010, 06:51 PM

The latin is Cicindela campestris which should come up with a pic or two without finding a load of different non British Tiger Beetles!
I don't know how far water beetle larvae will travel out of water but I know some damselfly larvae travel 10s of metres so it sounds plausible.
Cheers
Ian