Diptera.info

Posted by pierred on 20-10-2005 05:12

Hello,

On the photo below, we have a Syrphid larva on the left. But what are the two other ones (with 5 or 6 rows of spikes)? On the young sprouts of a loquat tree (Eriobotrya japonica) infested with aphids.

Thanks for any clue.
www.diptera.info/forim/4-0898-1.jpg

Posted by Andrius on 20-10-2005 06:15

Fannia larvae (Fanniidae) look quite similar, but that's only a guess, because I don't know if any of them feed on aphids.

Posted by Jan Willem on 20-10-2005 06:42

Hi,

I found the following on the internet concerning Fannia canicularis:

Feeding Habits -- Adult flies feed on various liquids and are often attracted to aphid-infested plants by the presence of honeydew (a sweet, sticky aphid excretion). Larvae typically consume decaying organic matter and excrement but have been known to parasitize the intestinal tract of man and animals. In some areas, lesser house fly larvae are the predominant maggots breeding in chicken manure.

So you see, finding Fannia larvae on aphid-infested plants is very well possible.

Jan Willem

Posted by pierred on 20-10-2005 08:01

Hello,

Thanks to both of you.

On the other hand, while I'm not sure, I think they feed on aphids. Searching on Cyrille Dussaix's Web site (http://perso.wana...aix/L.html), I found that Paragus pecchiolii have very similar larvae. This would leave us in the Syrphids.