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Hi, these larvae (approx. 5 mm) were found today under the bark of a dead spruce munching a dead larva of a Phaeostigma notata (not Dichrostigma). Is it possible to identify these?

Thanks, Eric

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inside snakefly

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Given the microhabitat and them feeding on a dead beetle larvae - and the characteristic posterior breathing organs - I would guess Lonchaeidae. They look quite well grown, put them in a plastic bag with some of the under bark material and you should be able to breed them out
Iain

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Thank you very much, Iain - I will try to breed them out!

Greetings, Eric

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Hi Iain, I was a bit too late yesterday: the 3 plus their snakefly disappeared. But I've searched and found and collected one today:

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I'm looking forward to see the pupa and the fly!

By the way: 3 days ago I saw some empty puparia on another dead spruce - could it be Lonchaeidae, too?

Greetings, Eric

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Hi Eric

I am not quite so sure about the second larva -you may well have to wait until it emerges as an adult - that's the excitement of rearing! The puparium looks like a Lonchaeidae of last year
best wishes ........ Iain