Posted by atylotus on 30-09-2014 10:06
#1
On several locations I have found this Hydrellia pupa which differ from many other species of Hydrellia by its black dorsal markings and, what appears to be, anterior spiracles. The constricted abdominal segments show an extra smaller ring in the intersegmental furrow, which I have never seen in other Hydrellia. Can these combination of characters be attributed to a specific species? As in other Hydrellia (and Notiphila) the anal segments shows 2 (curved) spines, but unlike Notiphila the cephalopharyngeal skeleton is more simply built. I'm not sure if these paired black spines on the head are indeed anterior spiracles, for these are normally absent in Hydrellia larvae. However, in many diptera larvae, which normally have no anterior spiracles, they may develop when the larva pupates.
Pupa are found early september.
Edited by atylotus on 30-09-2014 10:13
Posted by Tony Irwin on 30-09-2014 21:01
#2
Looking at your photos, I wonder whether this is a parasitised
Hydrellia pupa, the parasitoid causing some problems, such as non-absorption of the larval antennae (which seem to me to be too far forward for anterior spiracles).
Posted by atylotus on 21-12-2017 14:41
#3
Just today I have found again such a pupa, but with a fly inside and with no sign of a parasite/parasitoid. I expected to find a species of Ichnomeunidae or a close relative.
Edited by atylotus on 21-12-2017 14:44