Lower Moor Farm NR, Wiltshire, U.K.

Order : Megaloptera
Family : Sialidae
Subfamily : Sialidinae
Species : Sialis lutaria

Widespread throughout a large part of Europe including the UK. Adults can reach 20mm in length and are usually encountered near slow-moving streams, lakes, or ponds. Although the species has a life cycle that can last up to 2 years the adult doesn't feed and lives for no more than two to three days. Usually seen in May and June they are weak flyers and never stray far from the water where they emerged.
The female lays her eggs in large batches of 200 or more on plants or other objects at the water's edge. The larvae are aquatic, about 17mm long, and live amongst the mud and detritus, preying on smaller insects. They have large heads with powerful jaws. After 1-2 years of development, the larvae leave the water, and dig into the soil or waterside debris to pupate. Two to three weeks later the adults emerge in large numbers of both sexes. Mating takes place at night.

All my insect pics are single, handheld shots of live insects in wild situations.

Tags:   animal outdoor insects insect Megaloptera macro nature Sialidae Sialis lutaria Alderfly Sialidinae wildlife Wiltshire live insects UK

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