If you can see the rear spiracular plate, you could see if the larvae are sarcophagid or calliphorid.
Louis N. Sorkin, B.C.E. (Retired) Entomologist, Arachnologist, Myriapodologist Forensic Entomology Studies Insect Cuisine & Entomophagy Research [cid:283a1b4f-97ec-423e-8c1b-b8a1a3dca76f] Visiting Scientist | Division of Invertebrate Zoology Central Park West at 79th Street | New York, New York 10024-5192 email: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> 212-769-5613 voice | 212-769-5277 fax | 917-953-0094 pager-voicemail-text https://criticalmessaging.net/ https://www.amnh.org/research/invertebrate-zoology/staff/collections-staff/louis-n.-sorkin https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Louis_Sorkin [cid:e607e3d7-97ca-426c-b3e5-af16a3f36286] The New York Entomological Society, Inc. Treasurer & Monthly Meeting Organizer www.nyentsoc.org<http://www.nyentsoc.org/> [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> [cid:0e41acff-365b-4aad-a4c6-e578458847af] ________________________________ From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Jill Gordon <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 6:48 PM To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [PestList] Request for Species ID EXTERNAL SENDER Hello Mikael, Dr. Irwin's response is in my opinion - very correct. Between the two fly species commonly found in nests - I would guess sarcophagidae (Flesh fly) as opposed to Caliphordae (bottle fly) only because 1/4” is a good sized larva and the flesh flies are larger than the bottle flies. Do check for bird nesting and mouse nesting around the building - these flies are the first indicator of nesting materials and/or a carcass. Dr. Irwin is correct - these will not damage artwork but the beetles and moths that feed on these flies and their larvae do. Jill [praying-mantis_670_600x450.jpg] Dr. Jill Gordon Urban Entomologist Mantis Consulting 86 Crease Rd Mt. Olive NJ 07828 (973) 945-1776 [email protected] On Apr 29, 2025, at 4:12 PM, Dr Tony Irwin <[email protected]> wrote: They are larvae of a calypterate fly, such as a bluebottle (Calliphora) or a flesh-fly (Sarcophaga). They probably originate in a room or roof space above the room where they were found, and may have come from a wasp's or a bird's nest (several Calliphoridae are parasitic on nestlings), or an overlooked or hidden carcass (there are several species that might be involved). They do not present any risk to your collections except that any larvae which pupate and produce adults will provide food for more serious pests such as Anthrenus. Tony Dr A.G.Irwin 47 The Avenues Norwich Norfolk NR2 3PH England mobile: +44(0)7880707834 phone: +44(0)1603 453524 On Tue, 29 Apr 2025 at 20:55, Mikael Fox <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: Hi folks, Three of these larvae turned up overnight on a sticky trap in one of our collection storage rooms, and I was hoping to find out how worried I should be. We're on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, and they're about a quarter of an inch long. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Mikael -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MuseumPests" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/CAMLh2mX24S6bOQPo8Gep%3DndRhM_O24bu4PN4eggOQa0r1-gQ1w%40mail.gmail.com<https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/CAMLh2mX24S6bOQPo8Gep%3DndRhM_O24bu4PN4eggOQa0r1-gQ1w%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MuseumPests" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/CAFWqZKOMns1JufG4Zv1mPxQDhWnB0G7fxWa5YbEd9ddMRPsoPA%40mail.gmail.com<https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/CAFWqZKOMns1JufG4Zv1mPxQDhWnB0G7fxWa5YbEd9ddMRPsoPA%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MuseumPests" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/D11F6DE3-ADC3-48A2-B054-75E701A0CAE5%40gmail.com<https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/D11F6DE3-ADC3-48A2-B054-75E701A0CAE5%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MuseumPests" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/IA1PR14MB556233883B44F5FBD1F87910A6832%40IA1PR14MB5562.namprd14.prod.outlook.com.
