Hoverfly larva eating with added shots

[alfbranch]

I was looking out of the window when I spotted this Hoverfly larva on the prowl on a rose. So I went out a couple of times to grab some shots on the second occasion I got these

The catch

Hover fly larva catching aphid by Alf Branch, on Flickr

eating the aphid

Hover fly larva eating aphid by Alf Branch, on Flickr

What do you think?

 

[GardenersHelper]

Nice catch Alf. I think it is doing you a favour eating aphids.

Interesting that an aphid isn't nimble enough (or aware enough?) to keep out of the way of a slow moving giant like that.

What are the red spheres further up the stem? Are these extra-floral nectaries again? Was the aphid feeing on one of them (visible in the second image)? Perhaps it was too engrossed with that to notice the danger approaching.

 

[Andy Johnson]

Well caught Alf..

 

[alfbranch]

Nice catch Alf. I think it is doing you a favour eating aphids.

Interesting that an aphid isn't nimble enough (or aware enough?) to keep out of the way of a slow moving giant like that.

What are the red spheres further up the stem? Are these extra-floral nectaries again? Was the aphid feeing on one of them (visible in the second image)? Perhaps it was too engrossed with that to notice the danger approaching.

The Hoverfly larva was a marauding giant moving quickly and covering a lot of ground. Aphids are frankly stupid and slow see the photos below from 4 years ago.
The red blobs are I think developing thorns but I am no expert.

Well caught Alf..

Thanks Andy

Hover-fly-larvae-eating-aphid 2 by Alf Branch, on Flickr

Hover-fly-larvae-eating-aphid by Alf Branch, on Flickr

 

[hoftwi]

Nice capture Alf Interesting

 

[alfbranch]

Nice capture Alf Interesting

Thanks Icy.

 

[coopers]

Fascinating shot great to see.
That second shot from a few years ago is superb.

Clive

 

[LCPete]

Excellent shots Alf well spotted

 

[alfbranch]

Fascinating shot great to see.
That second shot from a few years ago is superb.

Clive

Thanks Clive

Excellent shots Alf well spotted

THanks Pete

 

[alfbranch]

Here are a couple more shots of the larva eating another aphid

Hover fly larva eating aphid 2 by Alf Branch, on Flickr

Hover fly larva eating aphid 3 by Alf Branch, on Flickr

 

[Paul Iddon]

Very well spotted m8 - I think it's the first time I have seen the larva dining.

Paul.

 

[davholla]

Very well spotted m8 - I think it's the first time I have seen the larva dining.

Paul.

I agree, I see them in the summer - I saw two on Sunday looking for Gooseberry Sawfly larva but they never eat anything. I wish they would or anything would eat Gooseberry sawfly.

 

[alfbranch]

Very well spotted m8 - I think it's the first time I have seen the larva dining.

Paul.

Thanks Paul
Its always good to find behaviour like this.

I agree, I see them in the summer - I saw two on Sunday looking for Gooseberry Sawfly larva but they never eat anything. I wish they would or anything would eat Gooseberry sawfly.

Thanks David.