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Photo#368324
Which nymph ?

Which nymph ?
Galt, Sacramento County, California, USA
January 30, 2010
Size: 1/2 "
These little fellows were running quickly on a path in the Consumnes river water preserve area where many kinds of ducks and birds visit throughout the year . I am pretty sure they are making their way out of the water and onto land as they are always wet and running swiftly with their backs slightly hunched over and their 2 pronged tail dragging behind them . They sort of resemble an adult bristletail , but their back ridges seem rigid not soft . When scared , they fling their pointy tail end up in defense . Although it looks like the tail end is one long pointy tail that is because they are wet and the prongs stick together . I am very curious as to what this guy will grow up to be as they are only found near the water trails as I am sure they emerged from the water to land to grow up , but into what ?? Thanks for your expertise as I can't find a match although they look like beetle larva to some extent , but also the Mayfly ?? they have a reddish marking around the mouthparts and the head resembles that of a Earwig . Thanks again , sincerely Beth

Images of this individual: tag all
Which nymph ? Which nymph ?

Diving beetle larva
Most likely moving to a terrestrial pupation site (larvae usually pupate out of water). Probably a larva of an Agabus or Ilybius.

Eric beat me to it.
I was going to note that your critter seems to resemble the one below (which is a Dytiscid larva):



Definitely take a look at both of the families Eric suggested, and see if anything looks familiar.

Not nymph:-)
This is a beetle larva, likely Dystiscidae or Hydrophilidae.

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