Something ugly in my pond

[Madweasel]

Looks like it's a soldier fly larva (Stratiomys sp.), but I've never seen one before. Funny how things can lurk in the pond without you seeing them. It was 2 inches (50mm) long. Taken with my 30D at ISO400, manual setting (1/250) with Tamron manual-focus macro lens at f/8, a 20mm extension tube and a manual ringflash.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i192/garlicpickle/Canon/IMG_4894aweb.jpg

[LindaB]

What a weird looking thing! I dont know what it is, but well spotted.

Linda

[racketman]

interesting as the soldier flies themselves are quite small.

[photobitz]

I would have said it's some sort of water beetle larvae... 50mm is huge!

[LordV]

Good capture- not sure about the soldier fly larva though the ones I found in damp leaves were only about 8mm long. makes you think twice about putting your hands in the pond though :)
Brian V.