Hoverfly larva (possibly Dasysyrphus) found out in the open. Usually, they are found in stagnant water, on a decomposing animal carcass, or in rot holes of trees.
Observation by Stephen Payton:
Saw this unusual caterpillar on one of our trash can lids. Can't remember ever seeing one like it before and couldn't identify it myself.
Jessie Moan, Forest Health Technician with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension, writes:
Unfortunately, on this one I'm going to need more information. Any idea on about how long it was? Any possibility of an additional picture? Was it hairy or smooth? You might also contact Derek Sikes with the Museum of the North. This may be something he more immediately recognizes.
Derek Sikes, Curator of Insects at the University of Alaska Museum, writes:
Not sure, but this looks more like a fly larva - similar to or the same as Fannia species. I would have to see better photos (good dorsal shot) or see the specimen itself to be sure.
Stephen Payton writes:
I’d say it was about ¾ of an inch long. It didn’t have any hair on it, just the rows of spines you can see in those photos. I’ve gone back and looked for it or others but I haven’t seen anything. I was thinking it may have been some sort of fly larvae also since it was hanging out on a trash can. It was under a spruce tree and there are a lot of salmon berry bushes around. I’ll keep an eye out for more though, and collect one if I can.
After much searching I found a match online. It was a Hoverfly larva (Syrphidae). If the larva in these photos are identified correctly, that is. Looks like they come in all shapes and sizes.
Derek Sikes writes:
Syrphidae is definitely a possibility and seems like a better match than Fannia. I'll send to a syrphid expert I know.
8/3/2019 Derek Sikes writes:
Andrew Young, a syrphid specialist wrote back: "Definitely a syrphid, possibly Dasysyrphus? Not sure though. The larvae are pretty tricky..."
Comments from LEO Editors:
Hover flies, or flower flies (family Syrphidae), mimic wasps and bees with black and yellow striped bodies. Although they do not sting, their camouflage allows them to go unnoticed by predators, bees, and social wasps. They can be identified by their unique flying pattern: hovering in one spot and abruptly changing direction. Adult hoverflies feed on nectar and smaller insects, while larvae help breakdown decomposing animals and other organic material. Source: US Forest Service Flower Flies Species Profile. Erica Lujan
Dasysyrphus