Hi, can anyone identify this bug of which has infested my black elder tree.
They measure up to approx. 25mm and grip very tightly to the plant.
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Can you provide additional images that would show this creature's head and side(s)?
It's a bit difficult getting decent pictures because it won't keep still.
Hopefully these will help. Many thanks
It appears to be a larva of a fly in the family Syrphidae (hover/flower flies). Ones like these are predators on small, soft-bodied insects, especially aphids. see http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/imgmay07/larva.jpg for an image and http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/indexmag.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artmay07/cd-hoverflies.html for more detailed information.
Many thanks. That makes sense because the plant is covered in black fly
Will these larvae have any harmful effects on the plant
Quote from Jelldave :
Will these larvae have any harmful effects on the plant
No, they will have no effect other than the removal of the insects they are feeding upon.
Great that's good news. Many thanks for your help. Greatly appreciated