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Photo#2027997
unknown larvae mass in motion

unknown larvae mass in motion
Temple, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, USA
August 24, 2021
Size: 7 mm
This is the second day I've found similar masses of diptera (?) larvae streaming forward, almost like a single organism, across a brick walk. Each group observed had at least one larger maggot among them. It rained last night and this photo was taken in the morning. Looking at individuals under a dissecting scope I could not see any hooks, hairs or extensions around the mouth (excluding the larger white maggots which did appear to have hooks extending from the mouth). The specimens had no legs.

Images of this individual: tag all
unknown larvae mass in motion unknown larvae mass in motion

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

looks like sciarid larvae

 
Thank you!
It was such a bizarre experience to see these. At first glance looking down I thought it was a slug or something and then I saw it was made up of a hundred little wiggly things moving as one. Crazy. SO HAPPY to know what they are! Thank you!

 
you're welcome
I've never seen a swarm myself but the photos are bizarre enough for me to remember what's going on.

 
A video would be better
Still photos don't do justice to how these swarms move along. They're not fast but keep a pretty constant pace all the while staying compact with a well-defined border. A video would be really fun to marvel over.

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