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Friend or Foe
Sue & Mutton
Posts: 125
Hi, just checked by dahlia tubers and found these hiding underneath them in the box. Any ideas on what they are please? The tubers haven't been nibbled and not rotting. Thanks :-)
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Posts
think this might be better
They look to me like Crane Fly larvae ... known as Leatherjackets. They're a nuisance in lawns as they feed on the roots of the grass and can be controlled using nematodes.
If you or a neighbour have any chickens they'd love them ... if not, I'd put them on the bird table or on the terrace or on a sheet of plastic for the blackbirds ... they'd also welcome them as a snack.
Don't put them on the lawn!!!
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Interesting Dove as my initial thought was that they were too long, light in colour and skinny to be Leatherjackets - certainly different to those which have infested my lawn(s) in the past. However looking on google it's surprising the variety of colours and sizes that get attributed as CraneFly / Daddy Longlegs / Leatherjackets. Different life cycle stages and / or strains I guess.
Nematodes are the only real answer but it's too late now, the damage will be done to the roots. Recommended to apply them in September.
Many thanks - the eggs must have been in the tuber when it was but away. Our adopted pheasant that flies in most mornings has just made short shrift of them! :-)
Pheasants love 'em too
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.