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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: hemajo on August 23, 2005, 20:13:23

Title: Larvae
Post by: hemajo on August 23, 2005, 20:13:23
I found a few white larvae with very thin tails in my wormery - similar to vine weevil larvae, but they don't have tails - do they?  They were about 1 cm long and the tail about the same.
Any ideas?  Thanks, Helen
Title: Re: Larvae
Post by: redimp on August 23, 2005, 20:16:40
If it is wet in there they may be rat-tailed maggots which are the larvae of certain types of hoverfly eg drone fly.  The tail is a breathing tube or a feeding tube.
Title: Re: Larvae
Post by: hemajo on August 23, 2005, 20:31:25
Are these good or bad? 
Helen
Title: Re: Larvae
Post by: redimp on August 23, 2005, 20:48:43
They are detrivores so good.  Sorry, should have added that.  Google them.
Title: Re: Larvae
Post by: hemajo on August 23, 2005, 21:07:24
I have looked them up on google - the conditions in the drainage area of my can o' worms must have been just right!  I found about 10 of these larvae when I was 'harvesting' the worm compost.  I didn't know whether to squish them or not!  (luckily I didn't, but whether they will survive where I threw them is anyone's guess!).
Thanks for your help redclanger.
Helen