Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Syrphidae
Rat-tailed maggots are the aquatic larval stage of certain species of Hoverflies. They are named for their long, thin posterior appendage which resembles the hairless tail of a rat. This appendage is actually a specialized respiratory organ that functions as an air siphon - pretty much a fancy butt snorkel!
University of Guelph Arboretum
College Ave East
Guelph ON, Canada, N1G 2W1
arbor@uoguelph.ca
(519) 824-4120 ext. 52113
43°32'39.06"N, 80°12'57.78"W
The land where The Arboretum now grows has been home to plants and animals for thousands of years. It was home to Indigenous peoples before settlers arrived. We recognize the Dish with One Spoon territory, the treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Between the Lakes Treaty 3 lands on which the University of Guelph and The Arboretum now sit. We are honoured to work on and care for this land.