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What are These and Should I Dispose of Them?

februarysgirlfebruarysgirl Posts: 835
in Problem solving
Just digging up some unwanted shrubs and discovered these critters. Are they beneficial or the spawn of evil? 

Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    This rang a bell with me, and l wonder if they are the same type as the ones on this thread? 
    https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1062112/lawn-pest-identification#Comment_2453011

  • februarysgirlfebruarysgirl Posts: 835
    They definitely look like the photos in that thread although they don't look anything like the suggestions 😕 I shall err on the side of caution and dispose of them I think.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Thought they’d been identified as nothing to be concerned about … I wouldn’t destroy something just because I wasn’t sure whether it’s a real problem or not. 
    At the very least I’d just expose them so the birds can help themselves. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
    I agree with Dove.  I am more inclined to leave things be if I don't know what it is - who knows what their place is in the ecosystem?
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
  • februarysgirlfebruarysgirl Posts: 835
    @Dovefromabove I had a Google for the suggestions made in the other thread but none of the images I found looked like them. You're right about not destroying them just because I don't know what they are and I should know better! They haven't been destroyed, they're still in the bag I put them in in the garden. I shall tip them onto a nice visible surface as a snack for something 😁
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    edited March 2022
    How big are they?  They look a lot like fungus gnat larvae.  But fungus gnat are tiny.. so maybe some other sort of fly larvae?  In your picture they have the similar black head and segmented body.
    Utah, USA.
  • februarysgirlfebruarysgirl Posts: 835
    @Blue Onion Just looked up fungus gnat larvae, it's definitely them. They were under bark chippings so it makes sense. A bit grossed out that what I thought were black markings are actually the contents of their gut! 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Perfect food for robins and wrens. 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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