Rat-tailed maggot
Rat-tailed Maggot
Rat-tailed maggots are the larvae of certain species of hoverflies belonging to the tribes Eristalini and Sericomyiini. A characteristic feature of rat-tailed maggots is a tube-like, telescoping breathing siphon located at its posterior end, giving it its common name.
Pronunciation
Rat-tailed maggot: /ˈrætˌteɪld ˈmæɡət/
Etymology
The term "rat-tailed maggot" is derived from the appearance of the larva, which has a long, thin, tail-like breathing tube, reminiscent of a rat's tail.
Description
Rat-tailed maggots are typically found in stagnant water, such as sewage and lagoons. They are equipped with a long, telescoping breathing tube at their rear end, which they use to breathe while submerged. The body of the rat-tailed maggot is pale and tapered, resembling a grain of rice with a long tail.
Life Cycle
The life cycle of a rat-tailed maggot consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The female hoverfly lays her eggs in stagnant water, and after hatching, the larvae feed on the decaying organic matter in the water. After a period of growth, the larvae pupate on land, and adults emerge to mate and lay eggs, completing the cycle.
Related Terms
- Hoverfly: A family of flies known for their hovering behavior. Rat-tailed maggots are the larvae of certain species of hoverflies.
- Larva: The immature, wingless, feeding stage of an insect that undergoes complete metamorphosis.
- Pupa: The non-feeding stage between the larva and adult in the life cycle of insects that undergo complete metamorphosis.
- Metamorphosis: A process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Rat-tailed maggot
- Wikipedia's article - Rat-tailed maggot
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