Insect and Spider Identification: larva in the compost pile?

Forum: Insect and Spider Identification Replies: 5, Views: 29 Print -

Author Content madrid2000 Humble, TX July 21, 2008 12:08 PM Post #5296130 I use a plastic trash can with the bottom cut out and burried for composting kitchen scraps. These guys and roaches hang out in there. I was wondering what they are and if they are beneficial to composting. Click the image for an enlarged view. madrid2000 Humble, TX July 21, 2008 12:09 PM Post #5296138 Here is another picture of some of them together. They are a little less than an inch long. Click the image for an enlarged view. madrid2000 Humble, TX July 21, 2008 12:11 PM Post #5296152 Sorry these pictures are out of focus. Those little guys move fast! Click the image for an enlarged view. madrid2000 Humble, TX July 21, 2008 12:13 PM Post #5296170 I hope the pictures help. Let me know if there is other information that would be helpful. Thanks! Tabitha Click the image for an enlarged view. suunto Sinks Grove, WV July 21, 2008 1:06 PM Post #5296438 I suspect that these are larvae of soldier flies (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) - see [HYPERLINK@insects.tamu.edu] for an image. They are harmless scavengers; we find them often in our compost pile. madrid2000 Humble, TX July 21, 2008 9:00 PM Post #5298938 Thanks for the ID! That looks like what I have. Tabitha

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