Comments for
black, 6 legs, front pincher claws (Fishfly larvae)

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what an interesting little guy
by: Cara & Myles

My boyfriend found this fishfly right near the creek bank in a small circular hole. I have never seen one of these and it appears they originate up further north than NC. It's definitely a bug to be curious about!!! I'm so glad I found out what he was! Thanks!

i love these bugs...trout love them
by: KEvin

the name is a helgramite and u can find them mainly under rocks in water. I usually catch dozens of them in connecticut with a net behind me i lift up rocks and let the river pressure push them into a mesh net.

Fishfly larvae
by: Moni

Amy
Your photos look like they are fishfly larvae...not sure why you found them in the bark of a tree trunk unless that trunk was in or near the water ...was it? The mature larvae crawl out of the water( up to 50') to pupate, so that is perhaps why you found them in the trunk.
The dark larva has not pupated, but as you guessed the light colored one has.
Here is a photo of a pupated fishfly - http://bugguide.net/node/view/192335

Fishflies and Dobsonflies look a lot alike so yours may be dobsonfly larvae, they are the same family but different genus.
Here are more photos of both - http://bugguide.net/node/view/3609/bgimage

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