Forum Entomologi Italiani

This larva is most likely the larva of a carabus beetle, but which one might it be? Does anybody know the answer? The pictures might be good enough for that. Thanks a lot!!!
Uvettino

ciao uwe

in my opinion Silphidae

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maurizio

If you whatch the larva alive you have no doubt. Silphidae larvae move quiet quickly, climb over grass and plants, and turn the head towards their lower side.

Compare general view of Silphidae (above) and Carabus (below) larvae:

salute !

Ciao Luigi, that is very interesting to know! Thanks for that!!!!

Thank you so much!! Learnt again! are the photos enough to find out which species it might be?

It lets me think of Phosphuga atrata

I think Ablattaria laevigata ... or Phoshuga atrata.

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Maurizio Gigli
http://utenti.romascuola.net/bups
http://bup.xoom.it/

I probably would go for Phoshuga atrata. how do you think?

ciao uvettino

do you remember the size of your larva? Ablattaria laevigata is distinctly larger than Phosphuga atrata, and this could help, provided the choice is only between these two (what about Aclypea undata e.g.?)

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maurizio

Ciao Maurizio! Very kind of you to respond again. Thanks for that! Well, I would say no to A. undata. So it leaves it to the other two only. Yeah! About the size of the larva. It was a rather large one, about 20-22 mm in body length [without antenna]. How do you think now, does that help?
Salute, Uvettino

ciao uvettino

20-22 mm is too large for a Phosphuga, so i would say Ablattaria

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maurizio

Buon giorno, Maurizio!
Thanks for responding again! OK, convinced, then I file it as an Ablattaria! Thanks much for your help!!!
Buon giornata! Salute, Uvettino