Unidentified

[goosey]

I saw this on the wall this morning, less than one cm long. With the naked eye I thought it was a micro moth pupa, but when I saw the photo on the computer I think it is something else - what I haven't a clue .

[Pudding4brains]

Hi Goosey,

That's a Hoverfly pupa. I've reared quite a few larvae through pupa to adult fly, but haven't come across this particular colouring pattern in the pupa, so I have truly no idea what the species might be.

Cheers, Arp

[goosey]

Thanks Arp .
Wow! I have only seen larvae before of several types. I do have a good idea now you say hoverfly pupa, it is possibly likely Syrphus ribesii, I saw some a few weeks back on this very wall.
1. How long does the pupal stage take in general?
2. Will it break out like a micro moth from the bottom of the pupal case, or go through eclosure like a ladybird or will it act differently?

[Pudding4brains]

Well, top ... bottom ... what's in a name

The thin end is the tail and it will emerge on the head side:


Duration depending on weather. In the range of 5-15 days probably?

Cheers, Arp