| Comment number: |
|
1 |
| By: |
|
Mervyn Mansell |
| Comment: |
|
These are newly-hatched larvae of a species of owlfly. possibly a species of Ascalaphus. Eggs are laid in batches of up to 30 on a grass stem or twig. The larvae congregate and often remain like this for several weeks and combine their efforts to capture prey. Amazingly, for such voracious predators they never attack each other. I have kept them together in a small container - all together - from newly hatched to mature third instars and have never had a case of cannibalism! Unfortunately, not much is known about the larvae of SA owlflies, so we always try to rear them - first on vinegar flies (Dropophilidae) and then gradually larger prey E.g. small crickets or green bottle flies). They require plant detritus in which to pupate. The larval stage lasts at least a year. |
| Date: |
|
2018-04-22 18:43:32 |
| Species name: |
|
FAMILY Ascalaphidae -- Unidentified Ascalaphidae |
| Species code: |
|
320480 |
|
