Yellow & Black Grub-Like Larva Things (ID Help?)

[crotermund]

I encountered these strange things only on 1 day last Summer and never saw them again. I suspect they are some sort of beetle larva, but I am not really sure. They have very peculiar tails and behavior. What this stuff is and what it's purpose is are a mystery. Any assistance on the identification is appreciated.

This first couple appear to have the "fresh", unhardened tails.



This is a grouping of them which seemed very common. They appeared to be very social and stuck together.



Could this be a male & female?

[Gordon C. Snelling]

They are beetle larvae, probably a Chrysomelid of some sort.

[Ken Ramos]

I am not really up on things like this. Could be excretement used to ward off predators or the like. Interesting shots though, seem as though I too have witnessed this before somewhere.

[beetleman]

I would have to agree with Gordon on them being a beetle larvae and with Ken on the stuff being poop. I posted this picture last year of a lily leaf beetle and its larvae and they are in the Leaf beetle family. (I wonder if it smells??).Great photos Craig....really nice focus & DOF in these shots.

http://www.photomacrography1.net/forum/ ... light=lily

[crotermund]

Thanks for the input guys. My initial reaction was that it was some sort of excrement too, but it seemed a little strange.

[Mike B in OKlahoma]

Very interesting. I LOVE shots of non "pretty boy" insects!

[crotermund]

Thanks a lot, Mike. And with your encouragement , I will post another right away that hopefully will not fall into this dreadful category as well.

[MacroLuv]

Nice colours. I lake that yellow-orange with black spots. Great combination.
Very companionable creatures.
Nicely captured, Craig.