| Fly
Larva and Pupa
The Fly Larva, generally known as a maggot, is the young
form of flies, which belongs to the order Diptera,
meaning two wings (Di - two, and Ptera - wings). Most
insects have four wings, but flies have only two. The pupa is like a teenage
larva, before turning into a fly with wings.
What they look like:
There are many types of Fly Larvae (plural of larva), but they are all
generally grub- or worm-like. Some common groups include:
- Black Fly larvae, which are dumb-bell shaped and soft.
They like to attach themselves to rocks and wood.
- Crane Fly larvae, which are large and fleshy with
very short “tentacles” for breathing.
Size:
Up to 50 mm long.
Where they live:
Fly Larvae are found in streams and ponds, in water
in the holes of tree trunks - anywhere water collects.
The larvae of one species of fly lives in pools of crude
oil.
What they eat:
Some Fly Larvae feed on decaying matter and play a key
role in recycling nutrients. Many species are herbivores
(herb-ee-vorz) and a few are carnivores (car-nee-vorz).
The Black Fly larva filter-feeds using two sets of filaments
(thread-like structures) on its head that trail in the water.
Pollution
tolerance. Very tolerant, rating 1.
The Fly Larva can tolerate organic pollution as
they feed on organic particles. They can
live in water with low levels of dissolved oxygen
as they often come to the surface to breathe. |
What’s interesting about
Fly larvae? |
