Thread subject: Diptera.info :: large Nematocera pupa in tree stump

Posted by Louis Boumans on 02-04-2006 22:40
#1

Wriggling pupa found under bark in stump of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii).
It is rather large: 13 mm long. Covered with mites.

Because of its size, i thought it might be Bibionidae, but i don't know if these occur in decaying wood at all. I will try to rear it.

Any suggestions?

Edited by Louis Boumans on 02-04-2006 22:42

Posted by totipotent on 22-04-2006 17:20
#2

Louis,

What is the verdict? Did you rear it?

I would have to say that this is not a fly pupae. I would have to guess that it is belongs to some Coleopteran family, like Elateridae.
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Posted by Louis Boumans on 22-04-2006 20:28
#3

Hi Totipotent,

It is a comforting thought that it was 'just' a coleopteran, because it died. You're right it should have emerged by now. It was going to emerge, and darkened already. Then a bunch of small coleoptera larvae that had been hiding in the substrate accompanied it. At first they seemed harmless to me, but the bastards did actually eat my pupa :o !