Can you identify this grub?

**GardeningMike** · 23-03-2009, 03:26 PM

Yep... as you say they like scarab beetle larvae.

Originally posted by murraymints View Post

Help !!

I live in Portugal and have built raised vegetable beds which I have filled with a mixture of compost and well rotted horse manure. I have just dug over the beds in preparation for this year's crop and have discovered hundreds of the attached bugs. Can you identify them? and if so do I need to do anythging about them? We are in an area where there are lots of scarab beetles and wondered if they are a relative of these ie dung beetles.

Many thanks
Murraymints (Jean)

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Yes, you're suspicions would appear to be right, given that you mentioned that there are scarabs in the area. Stag and rhinoceros beetles have similar looking larvae to scarabs but they are usually bigger and live in rotting wood (stag) and leaf mould (rhinoceros).

**Victoria26** · 23-03-2009, 03:27 PM

JEEZ... No idea mate but I'm glad you dug that one up and not me!!

I think I'm the only gardener I know that has a no-creepy-crawly rule in my shed and garage!!

Pfft no chance!!! - *Victoria26 is hiding behind a fence*

**Lavenderblue** · 23-03-2009, 03:56 PM

blimey, thats vile. i would squeal and run away. *pathetic*

**magz.mccarthy** · 23-03-2009, 04:08 PM

Do you think it may be a humungus caterpillar? I found one around that size, with similar markings, only lime green when i was a kid and my neighbour told me that it was the caterpillar of a hawk moth. Later that year we found a hawk moth in the living room, it was bigger than my hand. I'll see can I find a picture to show.

Attached Files

hawk-moth.jpg (0, 3590 views)

**glut** · 23-03-2009, 04:18 PM

I dug up something that looked quite similar and I think it was a Chaffer Grub. It was perhaps a bit smaller than yours (perhaps about 2" in total with small brown 'legs' only at one end. Almost like a bit of a gross shrimp!
May Bug & Cock chaffer grub : Grows on You

**magz.mccarthy** · 23-03-2009, 04:50 PM

Ewww gross. I'm trying to stop my natural impulse to stomp on the screen.

**glut** · 23-03-2009, 05:03 PM

It was really gross. I relocated it to the patio though and my local friendly robin soon made off with it. I haven't seen anymore...yet!

**teakdesk** · 23-03-2009, 05:06 PM

A pic of scarab beetle larva....

Attached Files

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**glut** · 23-03-2009, 05:16 PM

oooh now that looks exactly the same?!? I am confused. Scareb or Chaffer? I have re-looked at some more Chaffer grub photos and they definately look the same. They are the grub of the May Bug. I guess if you have more Scarebs than May Bugs around that might be the distinguishing factor!

**murraymints** · 23-03-2009, 05:23 PM

Hi Teakdesk

Thankyou for your prompt reply. The pics certainly do look the same. If it is the scareb do I have to worry about it? Wat if its a chaffer?

Kindest regards
murraymints (jean)

**Plot17B** · 23-03-2009, 05:36 PM

Hi,
Iwas going to say Chaffer and then read the replies. I've dug the odd one up here, hence I hit the books last year to identify. They can be destructive, if it is a chaffer. Do you see many of the beetles? As glut says, the beetle freq will probably be a deciding factor. Couple of links which may help?????

Chafer Survey

Cockchafer

good luck!!
P17B

**vicky** · 23-03-2009, 05:40 PM

I've got these too, they're Stag Beetle or Lesser Stag Beetle larvae...Pretty rare and special, they're found in just a few places in the country now!

**glut** · 23-03-2009, 05:49 PM

Well altogether a bit of a puzzle then. I can't tell the difference between the Chaffer and the Stag grub photos at all. One option is a bit special and the other one leads to scary garden destruction (see plot17B's first link!)...I guess you can always just cross your fingers and wait and see...

**Snadger** · 23-03-2009, 05:50 PM

Ray Mears would relish eating that!

It's similar to a dock grub, which when stuck on a hook will almost guarantee a trout for supper!

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