Mosquito larvae or something more interesing?

Bob T · #1 (**permalink**) 19-06-2007, 05:31 PM

Hi, we've got something strange crawling around in our pond which I've never seen before...

Here they are:

They crawl about like caterpillars and they're about 1cm long with those long breathing tubes extending to the surface.

I thought I knew what Mosquito larvae looked like and I thought they swam around rather than crawled around? Or is that midge larvae?

Can anyone let me know what these strange fellas are?!

Thanks in advance guys and gals

Paul mabbott · #2 (**permalink**) 19-06-2007, 05:41 PM

These are syrphid larvae 'rat-tailed maggots' ... Eristalis spp (esp. E. tenax - e.g. at bottom of page: Hover Flies

They're not really a problem unless there are masses. Nice picture for the circumstances!

Bob T · #3 (**permalink**) 19-06-2007, 10:39 PM

Hey, thanks kindly for the info Paul

There were only a few, so it shouldn't be a problem then. I just had to find out what they were as I've never seen anything like 'em!

PS. The picture was the best out of about 6 but don't tell