Strange one, need ID

Python

Arachnolord
Old Timer
Joined
Mar 21, 2005
Messages
631
Caught this little guy while flipping trash piles. Never seen one before, any ideas on what this thing might be? All attempts at identifying it have proven useless. Sorry for the bad photos, it won't hold still. It's in a 2 oz. condiment cup. Body length is maybe 3/4 inch or so. Caught in central Alabama, Chilton county to be specific in a pile of old carpet in the woods. IMG_20160731_173439477.jpg IMG_20160731_190120046.jpg
 

Hisserdude

Arachnoking
Joined
Apr 18, 2015
Messages
2,453
It's a false bombardier beetle larva, Galerita sp, see here. They are predatory, but on what, no one knows for sure. I'd try feeding it small, soft-bodied invertebrates, pre-killed or slow moving prey seems best for Carabid larva.

Keep it moist, feed it often, and remember that Carabid larva are prone to die off in captivity, so don't be too disappointed if it doesn't suvive long. Just try to mimic the wild environment as closely as you can, especially seasonal changes.
Hope this helps! :)
 

Python

Arachnolord
Old Timer
Joined
Mar 21, 2005
Messages
631
Thanks for the answer. I have a feeling this little guy would do better living in the woods behind my house than inside my house. I wasn't interested in keeping it so much as just curious as to what it was. I actually spent quite a while on bugguide but there were so many species listed I guess I got overwhelmed and packed it in too early. I knew someone here would come through though. Thanks again for the info.
 
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