Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Soldier fly larva ?

Posted by LordV on 12-11-2007 09:53
#1

Found about 5 of these on the underside of a windfall apple. About 6mm body length.
Think they are soldier fly larvae ?
Think the pointy part is the head :)
Lateral and dorsal views.

Brian V.

farm3.static.flickr.com/2355/1979608290_924195bbf0.jpg

farm3.static.flickr.com/2359/1979608324_b204a63367.jpg

Posted by Paul Beuk on 12-11-2007 09:59
#2

Right on both counts. I have no literature here to point you in the direction of the genus, though.

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 12-11-2007 10:00
#3

It could be Hermetia illucens. :D

Edited by jorgemotalmeida on 12-11-2007 10:23

Posted by LordV on 12-11-2007 10:36
#4

Thanks for the ID confirmation :)
Probably doesn't mean much but the only soldier fly adult I've spotted in this part of the garden is Sargus bipunctatus. Mind you they were around fairly recently.

Brian V.

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 12-11-2007 10:40
#5

I doubt about Sargus... the last segment is not so plain as a Hermetia; the head is longer than a head of an usual Sargus. And the Sargus usually has almost the same width in all body, except for 1st, last segment and the head. :)

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 12-11-2007 10:42
#6

do you have any ventral view shot for this larva, Brian?

Posted by LordV on 12-11-2007 10:50
#7

jorgemotalmeida wrote:
do you have any ventral view shot for this larva, Brian?

Fraid not Jorge - I try not to disturb bugs I'm photographing :)

Brian V.

Posted by Andy Chick on 30-11-2007 14:37
#8

jorgemotalmeida wrote:
It could be Hermetia illucens. :D

that tends to be cream in colour