CLOSED: CLOSED: CLOSED: What\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s this bug

Jelldave London, United Kingdom Apr 29, 2021

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.

Flapdoodle Minot, ND Apr 29, 2021

Can you provide additional images that would show this creature's head and side(s)?

Jelldave London, United Kingdom Apr 29, 2021

It's a bit difficult getting decent pictures because it won't keep still.
Hopefully these will help. Many thanks

Flapdoodle Minot, ND Apr 29, 2021

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.

Jelldave London, United Kingdom Apr 29, 2021

Many thanks. That makes sense because the plant is covered in black fly
Will these larvae have any harmful effects on the plant

Flapdoodle Minot, ND Apr 29, 2021

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.

Jelldave London, United Kingdom Apr 29, 2021

Great that's good news. Many thanks for your help. Greatly appreciated

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