Syrphid fly larvae? - Ask Extension
Hello!
I am trying to identify whether these green, caterpillar looking critters are indeed caterpillars or perhaps syrphid fly larvae. I have seen ...
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Syrphid fly larvae? #786157
Asked April 08, 2022, 12:26 AM EDT
Hello!
I am trying to identify whether these green, caterpillar looking critters are indeed caterpillars or perhaps syrphid fly larvae. I have seen one small one (1/8th inch long) eating an aphid, but the larger ones have not been caught eating. The largest one I’ve seen was almost 1/2 inch long.
Please see attached photos.
Thank you very much!
Spokane County Washington
Expert Response
Two of these are syrphid fly larvae, the first (starting 491D6E...) and the third (starting 6B11....). No distinctive head, the head end is pointed and they just have some mouthhooks that retract which are used to slice into insect prey.
The third picture (starting 87EA4...) is not a syrphid fly. I strongly suspect it is either a caterpillar (larva of a butterfly or moth), perhaps a larva of a sawfly (a type of plant feeding/non-stinging wasp). Can't tell from the picture.
The third picture (starting 87EA4...) is not a syrphid fly. I strongly suspect it is either a caterpillar (larva of a butterfly or moth), perhaps a larva of a sawfly (a type of plant feeding/non-stinging wasp). Can't tell from the picture.
Thank you for your reply!
I ended up diving into syrphid fly research this spring, and I believe that the second photo (starting 87EA4...) is a syrphid larvae after all! I went back and looked at a video I have of that exact one/moment, attached below. I was super excited about these little guys this spring. We had a 70ft covered tunnel filled with lettuce mix, aphids, and syrphid larvae! There were on average 2 larvae per plant, it was quite a sight, especially in the moments (must have been just the right temperature) when they were all casting about looking for aphids. I wasn't able to find any good information on the specifics of where they pupate or what it looks like; do you have any further information regarding this?
Thank you again!
Madyson
