Thread subject: Diptera.info :: unknown larva

Posted by Christophe Grangier on 28-04-2006 00:33
#1

Hello

I saw that larva running rather fast on wet peat in an alder wood (Is?re, France, 24/04/06). I don't even know if it's a butterfly caterpillar or dipter larva.
Any idea?

Thanks
Christophe

Posted by Christophe Grangier on 28-04-2006 00:34
#2

another view

Posted by Jan Willem on 28-04-2006 14:45
#3

Hi Christophe,

My guess would be some kind of Arctiidae (Tigermoth), but I'm no expert.

Jan Willem

Posted by Christophe Grangier on 28-04-2006 14:53
#4

Thanks a lot, Jan. In fact, it's probably a butterfly caterpillar.

Christophe

Posted by Xespok on 28-04-2006 15:24
#5

Artiidae is indeed the most likely answer, though other macromoth families may have hairy caterpillars. I think Diptera larva are never hairy like this, but I could easily be wrong.

Posted by Christophe Grangier on 28-04-2006 18:51
#6

ok thanks Xespok
A French naturalist suggested me "Pterophoridae". I know Arctiidae caterpillars, they are bigger than the one illustrated here.

Christophe

Posted by Dmitry Gavryushin on 03-05-2006 17:27
#7

I still would stick to Arctiidae or Nolidae (Arctiidae/Nolinae). A propos, early instar Arctiidae larvae (even Arctia caja, for example) are quite small (and some of them are hairy almost like that one).

Posted by Christophe Grangier on 07-05-2006 23:57
#8

ok Black
thank you, I try to get further informations.