Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Is this a Dasysyrphus larva?
Posted by sarahloving on 13-03-2021 21:52
#1
This is my first post, so apologies if it doesn't go quite right - for a start I can't work out if I have inserted an image or not! I'm a member of the iSpot website in the UK and have got interested in trying to identify obscure larvae that no one else has tackled. This is not my photo; it was taken in October 2016 by Paul Roughley in mid-Wales, near Welshpool. I don't have any info about size or habitat other than that. The original observation is at
https://www.ispot...ly-species
Having looked at images on this site it looks to me to have the overall characteristics of a Dasysyrphus larva, but I can't find a species that matches, and the image looks kind of odd (so much so that someone has suggested it might be plastic!). Any help gratefully received.
Posted by Carnifex on 13-03-2021 22:22
#2
Cannot help with ID, but with the image URL, you can just embed it in a forum thread - here is your observation:
Posted by sarahloving on 13-03-2021 22:54
#3
Thank you so much Lorin. Really helpful.
Posted by eklans on 14-03-2021 10:30
#4
Hi Sarah, I'm sure, it's a Syrphidae larva and it looks like Dasysyrphus. But even to confirm the genus it would be necessary to see the posterior end of the larva which would not only show the spiracles but also 2 long tapering projections. I could not find a similar Dasysyrphus.
Greetings, Eric
Edited by eklans on 14-03-2021 10:45
Posted by sarahloving on 14-03-2021 13:47
#5
Thanks so much Eric, greatly appreciated. That is really worth knowing for my own observations too. I will stick to Syrphidae for this one in that case.
Posted by eklans on 14-03-2021 14:00
#6
Yes Sarah, for larvae of Syrphids the posterior view (dorsally and laterally close) is extremly important. Maybe Paul Roughley will find one again in Y Trallwg this October.
Greetings, Eric
Posted by sarahloving on 14-03-2021 15:30
#7
Let's hope so! Thanks again!