Agromedusa lupalarva

“Wolf-Larva’s field-guardian”
Kingdom
Microsynthera
Phylum
Plasticae
Class
Occlupanida
Order
Rhetinomorpha
Family
Rhacognathidae
Genus
Agromedusa
Species
A. lupalarva
External morphology

Raised riffles on dorsal side, faint lateral palps.  20.4 mm x 22 mm.

Agromedusa lupalarva shares many characteristics with its fellow Rhetinomorph A. otautahi, in particular its remote biome: A. lupalarva is found as a parasitoid that swarms on plastic netting that is spread over farms and gardens. It is hypothesized that instead of enduring throughout the seasons like other occlupanids, A. lupalarva drops to the ground after a span of mere months, presumably decomposing into the ground, but field researchers have not confirmed this curious life cycle. Specimens have only come our way by the combined efforts of determined scholars K. Larva (TORD) and Z. Wolfe (FORC), who managed to lure several of the specimens from Christchurch, New Zealand into small postal envelopes from half a world away. It has a translucent keratinous appearance, and sports raised ridges on its dorsal side only. The oral groove strongly resembles that of an archignathid, but its edges, inside and out, have a uniquely rough and jagged appearance. Small vestigial lateral palps are present.