Creepy Alien Bug....

[scottyman]

Weird -I've never seen these before, and today noticed one of them crawling along the back of my neck , and a few more outside!

[TiG]

Wooo dude whats it done to the back of your neck

Its turned it to WOOD hehe. But blimey that does look odd!.

TiG

[turkster]

Looks scary Anyone know what it is?

Ive never seen something like that maybe its one of those things that come from South America in imported wood

[Tumble]

I think we need an entomologist...... I think.. although that could be someone who studies language patterns.... always get the 2 mixed up...

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Tumble

I think we need an entomologist......

I think we need some rolled up newspaper......

[Pete]

no ive seen one of them before
its one of them baby lady birds (larvae) i think
its ironic how something that scary actually turns into a Lady bird
hehe
Pete

[Jonny M]

Just squash it

[spazman]

Splat!

[Nick]

Its an Extractata Urinarium Jovialatus, to give its Latin name.

This is a juvenile mayfly grub, you can tell from the size of the mandibles.

It stays in the larval state for up to 4 years, feeding and becoming progressively larger. Farmers used to use the size of larvae they found as a guide to how the weather was going... milder weather meant larger grubs which meant an early crop.

They feed on ither insects, mostly of the Unfortunatum genus, but sometime they will attack and kill insects as large as full grown house spiders. (I know that spiders aren't technically insects, but I'm using them for a size comparison).

Due to the over spraying of crops and changes in farming methods, the Mayfly larvae are tending to stay in the grub stage for one or even three YEARS longer. This is causing the species massive problems as the full grown Mayfly does not eat, lives for about 4 months from maturity existing only to breed. The scarcity of adults means the population is now in decline.

Though a ferocious carnivore, (the larvae have been filmed using small sticks to fend off bigger insects and even making up small sprung snares, like in Predator), the larvae are more vulnerable in this stage. The longer they stay in this form, the higher chance of them being eaten, or worse, being forced into slavery by ants who use them in chariot racing, though some of the succesful ones do earn their freedom and lucrative sponsorship deals with Nike or Reebok.

It is intersting to note that Fila, a natural name for insect endorsement deals, has not made any move into the microscopic leisure gear market.

[SilentDeath]

Deckard you know so much about them, it would make me wonder what ingredients you use in your food

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Deckard

Its an Extractata Urinarium Jovialatus, to give its Latin name.

This is a juvenile mayfly grub, you can tell from the size of the mandibles.

It stays in the larval state for up to 4 years, feeding and becoming progressively larger.......

Slow weekend?

[Stoo]

Originally Posted by Deckard

The longer they stay in this form, the higher chance of them being eaten, or worse, being forced into slavery by ants who use them in chariot racing, though some of the succesful ones do earn their freedom and lucrative sponsorship deals with Nike or Reebok.

It is intersting to note that Fila, a natural name for insect endorsement deals, has not made any move into the microscopic leisure gear market.

Roffel

Someone had *way* too much free time on their hands

[turkster]

Hmm I read here that they have an adult lifespan of from 2 hours to 14 days. It seems a bit unlikely that they would live for 4 MONTHS without food

Nice to know what it is though. Must be very small.

[scottyman]

ORFL (like ROFL but more awful!) thanks for that!
BTW - that wasn't wood - that was my neck!