Subject: Frozen Like Han Solo
Geographic location of the bug: a pond in northern IL
Date: 12/10/2018
Time: 11:07 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: Hi. We were hiking in the woods and saw a few of these trapped in the ice of two different shallow ponds near our home. Each specimen was about 2 to 2.5 inches long. I thought it must be a larvae of a pond insect, but I haven’t been able to find any that are supposed to be that big. Any ideas?
How you want your letter signed: Mary
Dear Mary,
This looks to us like the larva of a Horse Fly. There is a matching image on Quora where it states: “Most horse flies are associated with water, and the carnivorous larvae can be found therein.”
Thank you! and Yuck!
I appreciate your help. I always attempt to do my own identifying, but whenever I am stuck, you always come through.
My curiosity thanks you.
Mary