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Project Noah Nature School
Family: Pergidae
Possibly a larva of some kind. About 4 cms long with apparently well formed head and eyes but could not detect any mouth parts. Robust thoracic segments with 3 pairs of well formed legs. Brown coloured soft body covered with sparse bristles. Lower end of body was curled and tucked under.
Found this clinging to a dried twig of a plant in a dry sclerophyll forest. It appeared to be nibbling on the twig- no other movement detected. If anyone can identify this "larva", I would be delighted. Thanks
Spotted on Dec 14, 2011
Submitted on Dec 14, 2011
5 Comments
Thanks martinL, knew you'd sort it out !. having looked at your reference and a few others, I agree it's a sawfly larva.
The placement of the eyes, the cuticle texture, bristles and rings around the body all look like that of a Spitfire.
Thanks again.
never saw like this before..
Seems to suit martinl - head similar, 3 pairs of front legs only, hairs seem common on sawfly larvae... wonder what type though.
Compare the head of the sawfly larva
http://bugguide.net/node/view/320058/bgi...
Bizarre thing?
Maybe like a bag moth with no bag!?
(not very pretty but I'm sure it's mother loves it)