ID - segmented stick-like creature in pond

HAJiME · #1 (**permalink**) 29-09-2009, 03:46 PM

Found guy in my pond this afternoon, never seen anything like it. What is it?? Insect larve of some kind?

Very slow moving. Plays dead when disturbed. No obvious head structure. Well camoflagued. Strange stick like spear on back end. No obvious feet.

Thanks guys!

Lancashire Lad · #2 (**permalink**) 29-09-2009, 03:50 PM

Looks like a rat tailed maggot - larva of one of the Diptera species.

(Although I wouldn't like to hazard a guess as to which).

Regards,
Mike.

HAJiME · #3 (**permalink**) 29-09-2009, 03:54 PM

Rat-tailed maggot - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ?

Doesn't look like tthis to me.

Lancashire Lad · #4 (**permalink**) 29-09-2009, 04:00 PM

- There are hundreds of different ones.

Google for rat tailed maggot images. A photo of one looking similar to yours appears on the first page at bottom left - but as I say, there are many species, all of which have the "breathing snorkel" like appendage in common.

Regards,
Mike.

HAJiME · #5 (**permalink**) 29-09-2009, 04:09 PM

I can't see any on google images that look similar, either. this is more like the appeareance of a crane fly larve than a clear slimey-looking maggot.

Lancashire Lad · #6 (**permalink**) 29-09-2009, 04:16 PM

Apologies Mods - I can't get this image to show any other way: -

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ray.ham...t-tail8864.jpg

Regards,
Mike.

HAJiME · #7 (**permalink**) 29-09-2009, 04:42 PM

Ah, that does look very similar. Thanks.

Dogghound · #8 (**permalink**) 30-09-2009, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

Apologies Mods - I can't get this image to show any other way: -

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ray.ham...t-tail8864.jpg

Regards,
Mike.

This is a Stratiomyid not a rat tailed maggot (Hoverfly). The larvae in the post is also a stratiomyid (soldier fly).

Lancashire Lad · #9 (**permalink**) 01-10-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogghound

This is a Stratiomyid not a rat tailed maggot (Hoverfly). The larvae in the post is also a stratiomyid (soldier fly).

Thanks Dogghound. - Happy to be corrected. - I always thought these were just a variation on the rat tailed maggot theme.

And, when I googled for images after HAJiME had made the query, the photo in the link came up on the first page of images - described as a rat tailed maggot (You can get back to the web site that it came from by removing the final few characters on the link).

Sorry for misleading you HAJiME.

Regards,
Mike.

Dogghound · #10 (**permalink**) 01-10-2009, 06:22 PM

I wouldnt of said its your fault Lancashire lad, Its whoever has posted these wrongly labelled photos online. There are alot around, I had the same situation where I was mislead by one (a picture of a spider) the other day. I always check on a reliable site or check several images now just to be safe.