Syrphid Fly Larvae

Moved

Moved from Unidentified Larvae and Puparia.
Done.
I had one that lasted for almost three months because there weren't any aphids around. It kept shrinking and finally died. Better luck next year raising these babies.

… Beatriz Moisset, 28 March, 2010 - 6:42pm

Syrphinae larva

Beatriz, thank you for the rearing information. I'm always looking for rearing information. I hate it when I cause something to die because I've interfered with it's natural environment so I mostly leave things where I found them. Maybe it would be a good procedure to place these in a screen cage, cover them with leaves and leave them outside for the winter rather than bringing them inside.

Do you think it would be a good idea to collect rearing/food information for different species together on one page?

… Lynn Bergen, 28 March, 2010 - 9:42pm

Good idea

We could start a thread in the forums and then add a summary of suggestions to the "Unidentified larvae and puparia" or just a link to the forum.
I guess that we are talking about Syrphidae here; there are some tips about butterflies and moths in some of the forums already.

… Beatriz Moisset, 29 March, 2010 - 8:38am

Larva

Very likely Syrphinae, the aphid eaters. Were there any aphids around? They are tough little creatures, some make it through the winter as larvae. I guess that they go without food for sometime.

… Beatriz Moisset, 28 March, 2010 - 5:27pm

Syrphinae? larva

I did not see aphids, although that doesn't mean they weren't any. Probably would not find aphids in oak leaves, but not really sure about that.
Can this be safely moved to Syrphinae or stay where it is?
Thanks Beatriz.

… Lynn Bergen, 28 March, 2010 - 6:28pm

Syrphid fly larva?

Check out the ones in the guide.

… tom murray, 31 December, 2008 - 8:29pm

Thanks Tom !

I really didn't expect to have this one IDed. I should know by now that all of you here at Bugguide keep doing the seemingly impossible.

When I went out I never expected to find anything stirring, but in a short time found 2 interesting creatures. After looking at the pictures I see that I was focusing on what I thought was the head but is really the rear.

… Lynn Bergen, 31 December, 2008 - 10:41pm