pupa - Archytas apicifer

Moved

Moved from Archytas.

… Hartmut Wisch, 13 November, 2006 - 11:45pm

Interesting

Two months ago I found a pupa nearly identical to this hidden inside a VERY strong, flat, oval-shaped retreat under some tree bark, and placed it in the 'fridge for storage.

I took it out of the container awhile ago to compare it to yours under an 8x loupe, and after a minute of holding it between my thumb and forefinger it started to squirm around! That kinda freaked me out so I tossed it back in the 'fridge! I mean, a Lep is one thing, but a giant man-eating fly buzzing around inside the house is something else entirely. :-D

I'll try to get a good photo of the pupa tonight and upload for comparison. And it's starting to get warm enough outside now that I could probably go ahead and let it mature soon to find out what's inside.

Jay Barnes

… Jay Barnes, 22 March, 2006 - 11:14pm

giant man-eating fly

Your comments made me laugh because I had a similar reaction at first when I saw the fly. It was not what I was expecting, and while flies don't normally alarm me there was something alarming about it appearing in the container. In fact, I had to inquire whether someone had put the fly there as a joke and removed the thing that REALLY came out of the pupa (the answer was no).

… Joyce Gross, 23 March, 2006 - 1:14am

Just uploaded mine

I just uploaded mine here:

I think my specimen will have a more predictable result since it appears to still be occupied by the original critter.

Jay Barnes

… Jay Barnes, 25 March, 2006 - 5:19pm

same

Yes, it looks the same as mine, but more likely to have the original insect inside. Let us know what emerges!

… Joyce Gross, 27 March, 2006 - 2:36pm

Nice series, Joyce.

You do a good job of discovering and recording behavior.

… Jim McClarin, 22 March, 2006 - 5:14am

no need to ever watch TV

with all this exciting stuff occurring right under our noses! :)

… Joyce Gross, 23 March, 2006 - 1:17am