Rat-tailed maggot

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!