HELP! Are these Cutworms?

[rachel24]

Hello,

I need some help!

This is only my second year growing my own and I have found these little caterpillar like things in my raised veggie beds, there are LOADS of them, all over the place. They remind me a bit of mealworms but I dont think they are. They have a little dark brown head, not sure if they have got legs they are very small so I cant really see.

I have tried to take a picture to show you but my camera isnt very good so If try to do a close up it goes out of focus so the images are not that great.

I dont think they are good news whatever they are, has anyone else had them and what did you do to get rid of them?


Thanks very much.

[Nicos]

To be honest- I'm not too sure...but I bet a few chooks would sort them out!!!

[rachel24]

LOL, I have already given a big pile to my three ex batts, they loved them.

I have put some in a jam jar to see what they turn into. Horrible things they are. UUH

[Snadger]

You'll be pleased to know they don't look like cutworms! Cutworms are usually a greenish grey coloured, quite large (size of a shrimp!) and are usually curled up until disturbed. When you squish em they emit the remmnants of there evening meal..........usually greeny grey again! Yuk!

[rachel24]

Oh good! Wasnt convinced they were after my afternoon of googling today!

Im just concerned because there are so many of them, all in different spots in the raised beds.Ive tried to get as many as I can but there are hundreds of the little blighters. It is stopping me planting anything at the moment.

Will keep my eye on the jar and see what happens to them.

[Snadger]

On looking again yours look a bit like bibionid larvae? I had an infestation in my lawn roots once and the crows ripped the lawn apart trying to get to them!

[rachel24]

Thanks Snadger

Have just googled that, I was just beginning to think it could be them from the description as it says they hatch in clusters and thats how I found them, all clurled up and wriggling in a big mass It also said they have the appearance of biting jaws which they do look like they have, but then it says they are legless and I had a good look at one last night and I can see tiny legs not far from the head but no legs anywhere else.

I think they have come from my home made compost-hope its nothing from my chickens as I sometimes add their bedding onto it when I clean out the run.

I am going to go on a hunt today and try to get as many as I can. Have got up exta early to go and tackle them.

Rachel

[-pat m]

Hi Rachel

I have been reading the thread and googling as possible options were suggested – They are horrible aren’t they - but I have a real desire what to find out what they become so please keep us posted?
I am not sure whether it is good or bad form but I let the chickens loose on a few wheel barrows of my homemade compost on the basis that they will pick a few nasties out - the down side is they annihilate the worms as well but always look very happy a few hours later!

Keep us posted

Pat

[Two_Sheds]

Yuck.
Can you take a close up of just one of the beasties, Rachel? (macro button ... usually has a Flower or Tulip icon on the camera)

[Two_Sheds]

What you could do is hatch some.
Get a plastic box (ventilated lid - use muslin or something else with very small holes), put in some food (soil that you found them in), and keep them warm until they hatch

[rachel24]

OOh your so clever! Never even wondered what that tulip was. Thanks for that, Ive learnt something new today. Still cant so close as to give you loads of details-Ive been trying now for about half an hour!

One of them looks like its got massive pincers at the end-its just soil. Although they do seem to have something at the back end, a bit like a chafer grub, but Im sure its not those.

I have put some in a jam jar with the soil they were in so will keep you posted.

Rachel

[Two_Sheds]

What crop did you have in the raised bed in which you found these lovelies?
They are almost certainly a fly of some kind (not moth or beetle)

[rachel24]

They have appeared in all my raised beds (ive got three) one has got raspberries in, the other had peas,onions,garlic,lettuce, and the other one had some more raspberries,redcurrants,lettuce and peas. The bed which had the peas and onions in is empty and has been since autumn.

I think it might have come from my compost as I emptied it a couple of weeks ago and put it all over the beds. So maybe something has laid eggs in it or in the chicken run and Ive gone and put it in the compost and now spread it all over the place!!!

[King Carrot]

could you encorage the chickens to have a root in the empty beds - problem solved apart from the rasberry bed

[dandamegs]

Leatherjackets?