- #1
What species does this insect belong to?
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the identification of an insect found in Spain, with participants speculating on its species and providing suggestions on how to care for it. The scope includes entomological identification and care for insect larvae.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Technical explanation
Main Points Raised
- Some participants propose that the insect may be the larva of a fly or a little butterfly.
- Others suggest it could be a moth larvae or the larva of a carpet beetle.
- A participant notes that the insect resembles a pillbug, which is not an insect, and requests more information about its characteristics.
- Details such as size, habitat, and physical features (like the presence of legs) are discussed to aid in identification.
- One participant expresses concern about how to feed the insect, noting that larvae and adults often have different diets.
- Suggestions are made to place the insect outside on vegetation to allow it to find food naturally.
- Links to insect identification resources are shared, along with specific pages that may help in confirming the identification.
- Another participant mentions that the insect may thrive in cooler temperatures and plans to move it to a window ledge for the winter.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants do not reach a consensus on the exact species of the insect, with multiple competing views on its identity and care requirements remaining throughout the discussion.
Contextual Notes
Participants express uncertainty regarding the insect's exact species and care needs, highlighting the difficulty in identifying larvae without more specific information.
Who May Find This Useful
Individuals interested in entomology, insect identification, or those who encounter similar insects and seek guidance on care and identification.
- #2
YoungPhysicist
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This may be some kind of moth larvae.By the way,what is the substance around it?Barreraabc said:
- #3
Lord Jestocost
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It might be the larva of a carpet beetle.
- #4
BillTre
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Looks somewhat like a pillbug (an isopod, not an insect) to me, but can't really tell from the picture.
Need more information:
Where did you find it?
Size?
Is it aquatic or terrestrial (can't tell from picture)?
Does it have legs? How many? Insects have 6 legs when mature.
Is it flat or round in cross section?
Need more information:
Where did you find it?
Size?
Is it aquatic or terrestrial (can't tell from picture)?
Does it have legs? How many? Insects have 6 legs when mature.
Is it flat or round in cross section?
- #5
Barreraabc
- 4
- 0
It's in a cristal plate. I took the picture with the smartphone's camera through a x21 microscopeYoung physicist said:
- #6
Barreraabc
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I found it in the wall of my room (I live in a flat near a river)BillTre said:
It's about 4-5 mm long and 1'5 mm wide.
It seems to be terrestrial.
It has 6 legs in the upper half and it's yellowish white below.
The shape is like a flattened cylinder.
I don't want to leave it on the street how I fed it?
- #7
BillTre
Science Advisor
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Could be an insect larvae.Barreraabc said:
You would have to know what it eats to feed it.Barreraabc said:I don't want to leave it on the street how I fed it?
Figuring that out might be pretty difficult. Larvae and adults often eat different things.
It would probably do best if you put it outside, on some vegetation.
Then it might find its food on its own. It what animals do.
- #8
256bits
Gold Member
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Certainly looks like it.Lord Jestocost said:
Insect identification PDF
http://robdunnlab.com/wp-content/uploads/Final_AOHGuide.pdf
See Pg 4 and then Pg 16
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varied_carpet_beetle
Some more info
https://www.orkincanada.ca/pests/beetles/carpet-beetles/
Some carpet!Barreraabc said:
Any natural fabric.
Attachments
- #9
Barreraabc
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Thank you very much!256bits said:
I also read that they live much more longer in low temperatures so I'm moving it to the window's ledge, waiting for the spring. "Adults feed on the pollen and nectar of flowering plants" according wikipedia.
Thanks to this discovery now I will know what to do if see more of them in my home
- #10
256bits
Gold Member
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Well, the thanks should go to @Lord Jestocost for coming up with the ID suggestion.Barreraabc said:Thank you very much!
I also read that they live much more longer in low temperatures so I'm moving it to the window's ledge, waiting for the spring. "Adults feed on the pollen and nectar of flowering plants" according wikipedia.
Thanks to this discovery now I will know what to do if see more of them in my home
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