It may be a bit difficult to get an idea of scale from this photo, but this larva was approximatley 1.5 inches long. I searched online and through all of my references, but I couldn't figure it out, so I put the image aside, stored as an unknown beetle larva. Fast forward to yesterday, when I was going through photos in the project file while working on the report. I decided to try out http://www.bugguide.net/. I have visited the site on numerous occasions, but I had never sent them an unknown photo. After signing up for the webpage, I sent the photograph above, and within the next couple of hours the mystery was solved. This is the larva of a water scavenger beetle in the genus Hydrophilus. Adults are shiny black, shaped a bit like an elongated football, and are approximately 1.5 to 3 inches long. Being that large, they are pretty conspicuous, and can often be found at night near lights.
I was quite impressed with how quickly my unknown was identified. The folks at http://www.bugguide.net/ have a good thing going. Be sure to check out their site when you have a chance, and if you have any photos of unknown insects, submit them and there is a good chance that they won't be unknowns for very long.
6 comments:
BugGuide rocks!
... but not as much as geology.
I love BugGuide. I've had the same experience, fast responses. Very good habitat and lifecycle information too. I have requested permission from several contributors to use their photos on my blog and all responded.
Heather
Love BugGuide. I love searching the pics to find out what mystery bug I have and then I learn a bunch about it, as well. The comments under the pics are really useful.
Janet
Per chance did you pick it up? I recall something similiar which made a noise, like a little "scream" when it was disturbed. I think it was similiar insect. Just curious
We didn't pick it up (those mandibles were a little intimidating), but we flipped it over with a pencil and it wiggled and writhed like mad. I don't recall it making a noise, though.
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