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Photo#384123
Big appendages

Big appendages
Willow Grove, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA
Size: About 2 mm bl
Dermestid larva, I guess. It must have been feeding on some of my dead insects. It was dead, so I don't include the date in the field; it is 4/8/2010.
What is it with those long, hooked appendages. At first I thought that they were antennae, but of course they are not. Are they mouth parts?

Images of this individual: tag all
Big appendages Big appendages

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

It seemed reasonable to keep these in the Guide, if only for Frans's explanation about the antennae. If others disagree, feel free to frass.

Collembola: Entomobryidae
The antennae of this dead specimen are quite deformed due to dehydration. Collembola do not have 'raptorial antennae'. The apical antennal segment does not bear any muscles. In dehydrated form it is usually more contracted than the other antennal segments that bear muscles to operate the subsequent segment.

 
Thanks
Mystery solved.

 
thanks, Frans -- this explains everything

Bizarre...
Reminds me of a Springtail. Never saw one with appendages like that, though... I'll be interested to learn what others think.

 
thoughts: springtail; antennae
Frans will tell

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