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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Beetles (Coleoptera) » Polyphaga » Series Cucujiformia » Cucujoidea » Erotylid series » Pleasing Fungus Beetles (Erotylidae) » Pleasing Fungus Beetles (Erotylinae) » Encaustini » Megalodacne
Photo#942417
Unknown larva on shelf fungus - Megalodacne
Copyright © 2014 Anita Gould

Unknown larva on shelf fungus - Megalodacne
Highland Park, Middlesex County, New Jersey, USA
September 26, 2009
Size: ~~1.5 cm
I don't even know if this thing is actually a beetle, but I'll run it up the flagpole & see who salutes. Growing on a large bracket fungus (Ganoderma sessile, I think) that was growing on a living maple street tree.

Images of this individual: tag all
Unknown larva on shelf fungus - Megalodacne Unknown larva on shelf fungus - Megalodacne Unknown larva on shelf fungus - Megalodacne Unknown larva on shelf fungus - Megalodacne
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Contributed by Anita Gould on 21 June, 2014 - 9:55pm
Last updated 31 December, 2021 - 3:37pm

fungus ID
Just got a probable ID on the fungus: Ganoderma sessile.
… Anita Gould, 31 December, 2021 - 2:40pm login or register to post comments

thanks Anita -- nice addition
Moved from Beetles.

the beetles are common in our area (i've seen a dozen the other day on a 'curbside' polypore -- many stumps left after the Sandy) but nobody has ever posted larval photos
… v belov, 17 July, 2014 - 1:04am login or register to post comments

 
Super!
Thank you both for solving a longstanding natural history mystery. I'm sorry now I didn't get better shots, but it was just a few quick snaps on the way back from brunch with my husband.
… Anita Gould, 17 July, 2014 - 9:58pm login or register to post comments

Can't tell from this shot.
Need to see more angles, the ventral side, the butt end, more of the head capsule. Larvae are often difficult to ID when you have a specimen on hand, and from an image like this that just shows part of the larva it's even more difficult. I do think it's a beetle, likely one of the fungus-feeding families, but I'm not positive.
… Natalie Hernandez, 16 July, 2014 - 10:04am login or register to post comments

 
Megalodacne? just a guess
the fungus looks right
… v belov, 16 July, 2014 - 11:37pm login or register to post comments

 
I think you are correct
Now that I can see more of it I'm fairly certain it is Megalodacne

http://www.forestryimages.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=5484096
… Natalie Hernandez, 16 July, 2014 - 11:50pm login or register to post comments

 
thanks natter
my guess was based on size + host association + 'cerylonoid' gestalt; narrows it down big time
… v belov, 17 July, 2014 - 1:14am login or register to post comments

 
I'm big on seeing the characteristics
Yeah it looked like one and that all makes sense, but you know me, like to be sure :)
… Natalie Hernandez, 17 July, 2014 - 9:50am login or register to post comments

 
uploaded more shots
Thanks for looking! Uploaded what I've got; probably not enough, but maybe it'll help.

I think I damaged one of them trying to free it from the fungus. I've been feeling guilty about it for 5 yrs.
… Anita Gould, 16 July, 2014 - 10:23pm login or register to post comments

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