Subject: Black Segmented Tapered
Geographic location of the bug: Northern Virginia
Date: 05/25/2019
Time: 09:27 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: Dear Bugman,
While walking in a wooded area near a small body of water, we spotted this cute creature crawling among the leaves and hiding. It crawled in a wavy “S” formation when it changed direction. Not like pill bugs that seem to keep their segments parallel when they crawl. Its head reminded me of a type of roach I saw in Florida and also a black cricket. Thank you!
How you want your letter signed: A fellow bug enthusiast
Dear fellow bug enthusiast,
This is a larval insects and larvae can be very difficult to identify with accuracy. We believe this is a Carrion Beetle larva from the family Sylphidae. Here is a BugGuide image for comparison. The female Carrion Beetle lays her eggs on or near a recent corpse, and the larvae feed on the rotting flesh, though many species will also feed on fungus.
That’s exactly it! Thank you!