Aquarium INSECT?

[ctyank]

I found an inch long brown insect apparently thriving under water in my Rotala Indica. :eek:

I'm pretty weak on my insect (six legs for sure) knowledge, and this guy is a complete mystery to me. I know you can't cross a wolf spider, a wasp and a moth, but if you could, this would be the result.

I am planning on taking a pic.

In the meantime, any thoughts on this?

[mogurnda]

There are predatory water beetles, dragonfly larvae and various other larvae that live in streams. You might google dragonfly/damselfly larva, diving beetle, or something along those lines.

[ctyank]

Thanks for the ideas.

It isn't a diving beetle. Doesn't look like the pics I saw online at all.

And it is way too solid and the thorax way too substantial to be a dragonfly.

[Tom.E]

Do you see any whiplike tails (cerci) at the end of the abdomen?


Tom

[joe schmoe]

This it??
http://www.student.io.tudelft.nl/io335601/pictures/european/0.jpg

[ctyank]

Yeah. I think that's him. Nasty feller. What's his name?

[ctyank]

This is a lousy picture I know. But my camera is pretty weak and to be honest... this guy gives me the creeps. I didn't want to get too close. :)

[joe schmoe]

His name is........

Originally posted by mogurnda
You might google *dragonfly*/damselfly *larva*

[joe schmoe]

http://www.pca.state.mn.us/artwork/kids/dragonfly2.jpg

[ctyank]

Ok. Thanks guys!

How do they get into our tanks? (LFS?) And if I have one does it mean there are likely more lurking in there?

[mogurnda]

A little cute one probably came in with a plant. As larvae, they can't breed, but keep your eyes open for others.

They are excellent predators, by the way.

[ctyank]

Ok, I'll keep an eye out. I will for sure inspect my new plants a little better. I think that this "cute one" may have feasted on a Cherry shrimp.

Thanks for all the feedback!