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For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
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Photo#51687
Aquatic Larva

Aquatic Larva
Dixville, Coos County, New Hampshire, USA
May 8, 2006
Size: 14.5mm
Found in a small stream. Is this some type of water beetle larva?

Images of this individual: tag all
Aquatic Larva Aquatic Larva Aquatic Larva

Moved

Polycentropodidae: Polycentropus probably
I would agree with Pat Logan, it is a Polycentropodid, and Polycentropus is pretty common in the more organically enriched streams around here. However, to be sure of the genus, the anal claws must be examined closely. Based on commonality, I would say Polycentropus.

 
Polycentropodidae
Omar and Don, thanks for all the work you put in figuring out what this is. It's probably a Polycentropus sp. but to be safe, I'll place it in the family page.

thats another one for Eric,
Dr. Pat Logan, our aquatic entomologist says:

" From the size indicated on the page, look of the head cap, etc., I'd
guess Trichoptera: Polycentropidae, but couldn't go any further. These
are tube makers, so it wouldn't be associated with any case. I don't
have any reference books in my office (I'm in a separate building from
them as they are in someone else's lab currently), so I can't thumb
through Wiggins for any better guess."

very nice Tom, and Eric. I thank you for this oppurtunity.

TOM!!
you got everybody i know STUMPED. Dr. Gettman couldnt figure it out and out Dr. Steven Alm couldnt either. although we concluded that the head and mouthparts cant make this a caddisfly larvae. You were right, this is most probably a water beetle larvae. Dr. Alm is giving me some of his Aqutic Insect keys, so I will to key it now.

 
Omar
do you need an enlarged picture of the head to help with the key?

 
YESS, that would be great. al
YESS, that would be great. also if you have shots without its camouflage in action.

 
2 more images
Omar, I enlarged the head, and added the only other picture I took. If you look close, this one has 2 hairs sticking up from each side of each segment.

ill
try to get someone to ID this guy. im interested, Tom. until then store it and see what happens. i dont think its a beetle larvae, but it could very well be.
ill get you an ID soon

 
Caddisfly larva.
My bet is on a free-living caddis larva. Not all of them build cases, or even nets with retreats. I am curious what an aquatic entomologist would have to say, though.

 
Moved to Trichoptera page
for now, unless an aquatic entomologist says otherwise. Thanks Eric.

 
Not enough containers
This is another one I photographed in the stream it was in, and left it there. I'd be overwhelmed if I tried to collect more than I do already. That'd be great if someone could figure out what this is. Thanks Omar.