Order Raphidioptera
Genus Agulla
About 5/8 inch long
This is a female Snakefly and the long needle-like object on the end of her abdomen is an ovipositor used in egg-laying.
According to Widipedia, Snakeflies are found throughout Europe and Asia but in the US they "occur
exclusively in the Western United States". They are predators of other insects, both in the adult and
larval stage, and they may have ancestors as far back as the Jurassic period. Very cool insect. Check
out Wikipedia's information on this fascinating insect as well as this article at a free encyclopedia. *
Thanks to Bugguide.net for IDing this insect for me. © Carol Davis, 7-5-2009
Home - Insects and Bugs of Utah
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*Links may change and the information may not be the same forever so if there is a bad link,
please let me know. (birdbrain at amazingnature.us)