Hi
this afternoon, Easter day, I found in a fresh sample of the same water
another larva quite similar to the first one I presented to you in this topic.
I observed it on the surface on water and made a little video to save its behaviour.
Very unknown behaviour (to me) I noticed: from time to time the larva "breathes" from the air to the surface and swallows it by pushing it into its abdomen.
You will see in the video
Definitely Elgiva spec. In this genus the ventral anal lobes are fused at the base and the ventro-lateral lobes are constricted only in the ventral part. ID to species level in young stages are quite difficult if not impossible.
In some similar Tetanocera spec. and Sepedon spec. the ventral lobes are not fused at the base and the ventro-lateral lobes are constricted in dorsal and ventral part.
Thanks to you, Atylotus.
I think I make big mistakes trying to make pictures on alive specimens
and putting back the larvae to the sample. So, I'm loosing good opportunites to
fix on pictures the features usefull to go through correct ID.
This time I forgot to make a correct picture of these anal lobes
I'll take car of your comment, Atylotus.
SDS
Video of a younger larvae Elgiva sp alive will be continue soon
around 0'35" same as around 4'0"" the larva is breathing and swallowing air with its mouth part
we see the air bubbles enter in his trachea
I guess it's to remain in equilibrium, floating on the water surface ?
