Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Mycetophilidae larva and pupa? => possibly Phronia sp.

Posted by Caillou on 16-03-2014 21:21
#1

Hello,

I’m writing on behalf of a fellow insect amateur who has tried to raise a diptera larva after having collected it under an old little pinwood plank placed on ground in his garden.

He succeeded raising it through a second and final larva instar (not sure, but the larva appearance changed), and then could obtain the pupa. Unfortunately, despite his conscientious care the pupa died before providing the imago.

The larva looked like it was eating “something” on the wood surface, but nothing was obvious. Also, the head was retractile.
When turning into a pupa the larva created a small silk-like net.

We suspect it could be a Mycetophilidae, is it correct and is it possible to go beyond that ?

Collected: Feb. 27th, 2014 in France, 06800 Cagnes-sur-Mer

Thank you very much for your help !

Larva as collected: 2.5 x 1.5 mm
www.galerie-insecte.org/galerie/image/dos115/big/nb05571_77_81_89.jpg

Second instar (?) larva 2.8 x 1.3 mm on March 2nd:
www.galerie-insecte.org/galerie/image/dos116/big/nb05628_39_47m1..jpg

Right before pupa: 3,5 x 1,5 mm, same day:
www.galerie-insecte.org/galerie/image/dos116/big/nb05699_700m1.h2.jpg

The pupa: 2.9 x 0.9 mm, March 3rd:
www.galerie-insecte.org/galerie/image/dos116/big/nb05713_15m1.h17.jpg

Each image is clickable to enlarge it.

If necessary we also have pictures of the pupa somewhat later, before it began to rot.
Thanks again for your help !

Edited by Caillou on 18-03-2014 20:14

Posted by Paul Beuk on 18-03-2014 10:58
#2

At least the genus Phronia has such larvae.

Posted by Caillou on 18-03-2014 20:13
#3

Thank you very much Paul !

P.S.: Of course the thanks come both from myself (Caillou) and from the pictures' author !

Edited by Caillou on 20-03-2014 20:16