Hexatoma True Fly Larva Pictures

Mayflies

Caddisflies

Stoneflies

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

» Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

» Class Insecta (Insects)

» Order Diptera (True Flies)

» Family Limoniidae (Limoniid Crane Flies)

» Genus Hexatoma

I'm not sure if this cranefly larva is in the genus Hexatoma or Limnophila, but the habitat suggests Hexatoma. Its coloring is iridescent, and I've never heard of that before. However, there is an insect virus genus Iridovirus which can infect craneflies and causes iridescence. It has not been reported in this region as far as I can tell, but perhaps it is the culprit. It makes for beautiful pictures.

This true fly was collected from Mongaup Creek on April 19th, 2006 and added to Troutnut.com on April 21st, 2006.