In a Mud Puddle on a Pretty Day

On one of our treks through the natural area around our cabin, we discovered a puddle full of these creatures.  

We're accustomed to encountering puddles teeming with tadpoles and salamanders, but this was something totally new for us.

Each of the Blossoms froze, mesmerized with observing these intriguing larvae.  

What is this prehistoric looking critter vacationing in our warm mud puddle?!!

We were absolutely enthralled when Blossom2 pointed out that these larvae reared their "heads" toward the surface and seemed to be breathing oxygen. 

We're no experts, but we think, after a little research, that they are horsefly larvae.  

And yes, they breathe air.

And yes, it seems the larvae can bite, just like the adults do.

The Rugged Mountain Man exclaimed that had he known, he would've destroyed them all.  

I can hardly argue with his logic.  

Dominique

As we were researching this to type this blog entry, I was looking into whether or not they could bite.  I had several tabs open with various and sundry pictures of biting insects and their life stages.  With all the Blossoms clustered around me, Blossom4 accidentally let the hair rubber band she was fiddling with fly through the air.  It snapped me on the foot, leaving a mild stinging sensation.  I sprang from my seat, squealed loudly, and swatted at my foot.  Everyone else realized what happened and laughed at my ridiculous response to a snapped hair band.  I couldn't help it.  All those insects just looked vicious.