rat-tailed maggot
Quick Summary
The rat-tailed maggot is the larva of certain syrphid flies, notably those in the Eristalis genus. These larvae are characterized by a long, telescopic, tubular tail that ends in spiracles, allowing them to breathe air from above while submerged in mud or putrefying matter. This unique adaptation enables them to thrive in environments like drains and polluted waters. Hover flies, which include species with rat-tailed maggots, are a diverse family of flies known for their hovering behavior around flowers. While many hover fly larvae are beneficial predators of aphids, the rat-tailed maggot's habitat highlights their role in decomposing organic matter.12
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