Posted by atylotus on 12-02-2013 15:59
#1
Can anybody confirm that this is the larva of the Muscid fly Graphomyia maculata?
It has the typical Muscidae mouthparts with accessory sclerites, ventral spinule patches on the abdomen and longitudinally striated cuticle. It was found in a small ditch (<50cm width) in agricultural landscape near the town 'Schuring" on the isle of Hoekse Waard in the south-western part of The Netherlands on june 12, 2012.
Edited by atylotus on 15-02-2013 14:56
Posted by atylotus on 15-02-2013 11:09
#3
I took a photo of the headskeleton and I'm now convinced that this must be the larva of
G. maculata. With thanks to Marina I had the opportunity to compare my larvae with descriptions in some papers and it all fits: the head showes the pointed posterior part of the ventral cornu, which appears to be typical for this species. Furthermore I see three pointed lobes around the posterior spiracle which is somewhat directed dorsally; also the elevated spinepatches around the anal plate (including a single median patch just in front of the anal plate) as well as the presence of paired ventral spinule patches on abdominal segments 2-7 all are typical for
Graphomyia. The ecology of the larvae also seems to fit: it was found in a shallow ditch together with the larvae of
Eristalis, which appears to be the main source of food for
G.maculata larvae.
Edited by atylotus on 15-02-2013 11:11