Rat-tailed maggot

Rat-tailed maggot

Rat-tailed maggots are the larvae of certain species of hoverflies. They have a tube-like, telescoping breathing siphon located at its posterior end. This acts like a snorkel, allowing the larva to breathe air while submerged.

About Rat-tailed maggot in brief

Summary Rat-tailed maggotRat-tailed maggots are the larvae of certain species of hoverflies. They have a tube-like, telescoping breathing siphon located at its posterior end. This acts like a snorkel, allowing the larva to breathe air while submerged.

The most commonly encountered maggot is the Eristalis tenax larva. It lives in stagnant, oxygen-deprived water with high organic content.