Monster Predaceous (?) Beetle Larva

e6filmuser

During a fungus foray at the weekend, one of the group found this. It was motionless, about knee high, on the bark of the trunk of a Sweet Chestnut tree. It was about an inch (25mm) long.

It looks like a hunter but its abdomen looks more like that of a wood borer.

I have not yet found any similar images to help me to identify it.

EM-1 Kiron 105mm, f11, flash, hand-held.

Harold

Stumblebum

Awesome shot!

e6filmuser

Stumblebum wrote: »

Awesome shot!

Thanks. It really helped that it was absolutely immobile.

Harold

Lord Vetinari

Interesting capture Harold- suspect it's a fungus infected rove beetle
Brian v.

e6filmuser

Lord Vetinari wrote: »

Interesting capture Harold- suspect it's a fungus infected rove beetle
Brian v.

Thanks, Brian.

Tht would explain its immobility.

Harold

e6filmuser

Thanks to a tip-off in another forum, I now know this to be the larva of the snakefly Raphidia maculicollis, the other three UK species being confined to conifers. This species is associated with oak trees, which were present.

Harold

Lord Vetinari

e6filmuser wrote: »

Thanks to a tip-off in another forum, I now know this to be the larva of the snakefly Raphidia maculicollis, the other three UK species being confined to conifers. This species is associated with oak trees, which were present.

Harold

Well that is interesting !
Brian v.

e6filmuser

Lord Vetinari wrote: »

Well that is interesting !
Brian v.

Once again, an explanation for its immobility is lacking. It was in an extremely exposed position.

Harold

e6filmuser

I got the name wrong. It is Phaeostigma notata syn. Raphidia notata which is found associated with oak.

Harold

Lord Vetinari

e6filmuser wrote: »

Once again, an explanation for its immobility is lacking. It was in an extremely exposed position.

Harold

I still looks like it may have a fungal infection to me
Brian V.

e6filmuser

Lord Vetinari wrote: »

I still looks like it may have a fungal infection to me
Brian V.

Possibly so, there being no such bloated image found by my searching.

I may return to the location and find fungal outgrowths. It makes life that bit more interesting.

Harold

GOLDENORFE

Good find , never seen a snakefly would be great if you could find one

e6filmuser

GOLDENORFE wrote: »

Good find , never seen a snakefly would be great if you could find one

The reserve is only a half hour drive away. I can't resist another look, probably early next week.

Harold