mystery pond resident

rooftop · #1 (**permalink**) 20-08-2011, 04:13 PM

Hi Wabbers,
In between the cricket starting and stopping, we spotted this little fellow at the edge of our pond. He's about an inch and a bit long! He was making short work of the pond edge debris to.
Just wondering what he is?

posie · #2 (**permalink**) 20-08-2011, 04:30 PM

Interesting rooftop, I hope we're about to get an ID..he's obviously doing a good job of cleaning things up..How long do you think he is?

Posie..

rooftop · #3 (**permalink**) 20-08-2011, 04:36 PM

An inch and a half in old money. The bit thats doing the 'eating' looks like a couple of tiny fingers.

Kreacha · #4 (**permalink**) 20-08-2011, 04:39 PM

Oooo - how interesting. Haven't a clue what it is, but am looking forward to when someone comes along who does

posie · #5 (**permalink**) 20-08-2011, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kreacha

Oooo - how interesting. Haven't a clue what it is, but am looking forward to when someone comes along who does

...Same here Kreacha, I can't wait..

Posie

posie · #6 (**permalink**) 20-08-2011, 05:04 PM

err..could it be the larva of a Stratiomys longicornis..or soldier fly..

Matt Smith · #7 (**permalink**) 20-08-2011, 05:05 PM

A Stratiomyid (Soldier fly) larva - can't tell the species without some real clouse up checking.

Kreacha · #8 (**permalink**) 20-08-2011, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by posie

err..could it be the larva of a Stratiomys longicornis..or soldier fly..

Have just looked it up - it does look like one of them! Have never come across one before. Clever you Posie

rooftop · #9 (**permalink**) 20-08-2011, 05:24 PM

Hi Wabbers,
Thanks for your help in I.D.ing the soldier fly larva.
Is it the sort of insect that will emerge this year? or will it over winter in the pond mud and weeds.
I must say I am amazed at the variety of life that's been attracted to our pond, it was only dug in February this year and we live 100 yards from the Blackwall Tunnell!

Thanks once again
Rooftop

posie · #10 (**permalink**) 20-08-2011, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kreacha

Have just looked it up - it does look like one of them! Have never come across one before. Clever you Posie

Thanks Kreacha, it's my first shot at posting an ID I wouldn't normally do it, leave that to the experts

..I looked it up of course, but I did have an inkling it was a larva...at the same time I found out that some creatures lay their eggs in a caterpiller of another species and after it has changed into a pupa the eggs have hatched and fed on the host, and the pupa cracks open and the maggots come out..like a surrogate mother I suppose..

There you go rooftop, we give good value, 2 for the price of 1

Posie