Wet waders' ankles . . .What is the diet of the larvae?
Whartever algae or other small particulates stick to the netlike tube they live in. In fact their tongue is adapted to this. It forms sort of a T-shape. This can be seen in the second photo from the top. It's the white thing sticking out of it's mouth.@Mark Melton What is the diet of the larvae?
Those just seem like awfully formidable mandibles for eating scuzz with your T-shaped tongue.Whartever algae or other small particulates stick to the netlike tube they live in. In fact their tongue is adapted to this. It forms sort of a T-shape. This can be seen in the second photo from the top. It's the white thing sticking out of it's mouth.
They do seem mighty nasty but they are used for constructing the net and defending the net they live in. There are several under each rock and I imagine that competition for space and food can get pretty nasty.Those just seem like awfully formidable mandibles for eating scuzz with your T-shaped tongue.
Unreal !!!!Chimarra larvae are found on the undersides of stones in tubes of netlike silk. When going into pupation they build a rock case and attach it to a large stone.
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Larva is 9mm
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prepupal case
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Case removed from rock
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