Diptera.info :: Identification queries :: Diptera (eggs, larvae, pupae)
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 Large larva attacking earthworm
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| Louis Boumans |
Posted on 10-08-2009 00:11
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Member Location: NO Oslo Posts: 262 Joined: 09.06.04 |
I found this large (ca. 18-20 mm) larva vigorously attacking a large earthworm. It curled around the rear end of the worm and punched its skin. It walks quickly and has pseudopods. I brought both worm and larva home. There, the larva appeared no longer interested in the worm, but had its bellyclearly filled with its victim's blood. The worm is badly injured but still alive. Which fly could this be? Muscidae. Caliphoridae, Sarcophagidae? Louis Boumans attached the following image:  [117.12Kb] Edited by Louis Boumans on 10-08-2009 00:16 |
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| Louis Boumans |
Posted on 10-08-2009 00:13
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Member Location: NO Oslo Posts: 262 Joined: 09.06.04 |
worm has lesions / constrictions at the rear end;
Louis Boumans attached the following image:  [92.95Kb] |
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| Louis Boumans |
Posted on 10-08-2009 00:14
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Member Location: NO Oslo Posts: 262 Joined: 09.06.04 |
blood in the larva's gut
Louis Boumans attached the following image:  [132.41Kb] |
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| andrzej grzywacz |
Posted on 10-08-2009 07:59
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 Member Location: Poland Posts: 103 Joined: 09.02.08 |
I know that Pollenia (Calliphoridae) are parasites of earthworms, but I don't know is this one belongs to this genus. |
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| Louis Boumans |
Posted on 10-08-2009 10:08
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Member Location: NO Oslo Posts: 262 Joined: 09.06.04 |
Thanks, Andrzej; i know that Pollenia are endoparasites. However that does not necessarily exclude that they might also take a blood meal after their endoparasitic stage - I don't know if these pupate inside their host. I think Sarcophagidae is the best bet, but who knows? |
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| Tony Irwin |
Posted on 10-08-2009 20:43
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 Member Location: Norwich, England Posts: 7273 Joined: 19.11.04 |
Looks like it has a head capsule, so Rhagio is more likely. They are known predators of earthworms.
Tony ---------- Tony Irwin |
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| Louis Boumans |
Posted on 12-08-2009 21:09
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Member Location: NO Oslo Posts: 262 Joined: 09.06.04 |
Thanks Tony, I hadn't thought of that option. I'll try if I can make a pciture of the head. |
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