Fly larva ~1 mi. W of the Galleria, in Houston, Harris County, Texas, USA April 19, 2014 Size: ~ 8 mm?
A pair of Mourning Doves were raising two young in a planter on the patio of an apartment. On April 19, 2014, one of the nestlings was found dead on the patio floor, under the nest. Its belly appeared to have split open, and there were numerous larvae feeding inside. (Larva image posted.) The remains were placed in a clear, closed, but not airtight container. Some old, dry potting soil was added in case the larvae were a species that pupates in soil.
Edit on April 24, 2014:
Many puparia have formed. (Puparium image added. It's not the same individual as the larva pic, but the circumstances may justify keeping them linked.)
Edit on May 6, 2014:
Many adult flies emerged today, though nothing from the pictured puparium, which has been kept separate and indoors.
Edit on May 11, 2014:
An adult fly emerged from the pictured puparium in the past day or two. (Two images of adult added.) Many adult wasps have now emerged in the container holding the dove remains and adult flies.
Edit on May 18, 2014:
Last living insects in container died a few days ago. Examination reveals 41 adult Sarcophagidae (27 males, 14 females), 68 adult Brachymeria, and 124 empty (?) puparia.
Images of this individual: tag all Contributed by John Schneider on 21 April, 2014 - 3:15pm Last updated 13 August, 2014 - 7:12pm |