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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Flies (Diptera) » "Acalyptratae" » Lauxanioidea » Chamaemyiidae » Leucopis
Photo#373728
Larva - Leucopis
Copyright © 2010 Claude Pilon

Larva - Leucopis
Montréal, Quebec, Canada
July 30, 2009
Is it possible to identify the larva? It is an aphid predator, I think. It was in the middle of the aphid colony (Aphis sambuci). Ants didn't try to drive it off.
It seems to be different than a syrphid larva.
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Contributed by Claude Pilon on 27 February, 2010 - 10:14am
Last updated 8 March, 2010 - 7:56am

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… Claude Pilon, 8 March, 2010 - 7:56am login or register to post comments

lycaenid?
This is a complete guess based on some of them having relationships with ants and its general look. Very cool picture. What do you use to diffuse your flash heads?
… David Almquist, 1 March, 2010 - 1:52pm login or register to post comments

 
Larva
I think the ants are there for the aphids. Yes, I also thought that it could be a lycaenid but I have not seen any of them with appendages like the one my specimen has. I will post another picture to show a better view.
No, I do not use any flash diffuser. Thanks!
… Claude Pilon, 2 March, 2010 - 8:49am login or register to post comments

 
Lycaenid caterpillars
also produce honeydew. There are even some tropical species which eat the ants' own nests and brood, but are tolerated or even welcomed because they produce sweet fluid.
… Arlo Pelegrin, 2 March, 2010 - 12:24pm login or register to post comments

Oh my!
The photography is breathtaking! Especially for the size of the subjects! I took a look at your other work, and I think you've just become one of my most favorite photographers on Bug Guide. :)
… Mandy Howe, 27 February, 2010 - 5:27pm login or register to post comments

 
Thanks Mandy!
...
… Claude Pilon, 28 February, 2010 - 2:12pm login or register to post comments

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