Intestines!

Paul Iddon

Never seen this kind of thing before, but as I was walking down by the canal I spotted this larvae thingie climbing slowly up the edge of a blade of grass. It is about 2 or 3mm in length (big crop) and was slimy to look at - which you can tell by the way the sun is reflected off the goo.

But what fascinated me when I got the image onto the computer is that you can quite clearly see the intestines running all through the body underneath the transparent skin!

Will try and find out what it is today (someone may know) and will update when I find out. But for now, enjoy the insides of an insect, from the outside!


Exif:

Camera Maker: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 550D
Lens: 105mm
Image Date: 2011-06-14 12:56:51 +0000
Focal Length: 105mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure Time: 0.0056 s (1/180)
ISO equiv: 200
Exposure Bias: none
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: No (enforced)
Orientation: Normal
Color Space: sRGB
GPS Coordinate: undefined, undefined
Photographer: Paul Iddon
Copyright: www.pauliddon.co.uk






Paul.

paddler4

very interesting. Good capture

Paul Iddon

paddler4 wrote: »

very interesting. Good capture

Cheers.

I'm still no wiser as to it's ID though.

Paul.

Lord Vetinari

Good capture Paul. Can't work this out but that looks more like liquid on it's back rather than genuine bug.
Brian v.

Paul Iddon

It's a bug - that'll do me, lol...


Paul.

Lord Vetinari

Paul - think I've worked this out - some beetle larva camouflage themselves with their own faecal matter - eg Scarlet Lily Beetle larvae. Wonder if that's what's going on here but it has managed to get a drop of water on it all as well ?
Brian v.

Bend The Light

I think that it looks like a caterpillar with liquid on it's back.

Paul Iddon

T'is odd to look at...

Cheers for looking in (sic) guys...


Paul.

Paul Iddon

I got in touch with an entomologist , Professor Kenneth Wilson, who spoke to a Dr Andy Wilby (they are at Liverpool University) and he says:

Quote:

Hi Paul

I consulted with a colleague of mine (Dr Andy Wilby) and he reckons it’s a probably a Chrysomelid larvae. Some of them keep a drop of water or similar on their backs as a predator deterrent. Check out:



Bayer CropScience - Pestspotter - Cereal leaf beetle

Unquote.


My photo is better than theirs! (Bayers')

Paul.