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new gardener

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  • ZiminukZiminuk Posts: 24
    My garden is riddled with some creatures very similar to this in appearance, but they definitely have legs. Any idea what they are and are they going to damage my plants?
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,109

    The 'chemical' Vine weevil killer is really harmful to other insects - particularly bees - it is only licensed for use in pots and not in open ground.  I will not use it.

    If you are thinking of using it please read this first 

    http://gardenofeaden.blogspot.co.uk/2008/11/imidacloprid-provado-and-threat-to-bees.html

    image


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





  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,109
    Ziminuk wrote (see)
    My garden is riddled with some creatures very similar to this in appearance, but they definitely have legs. Any idea what they are and are they going to damage my plants?

    Scroll down and have a look here http://frontpage.woodland-trust.org.uk/ancient-tree-forum/atfnews/images/stagbeetles.pdf you may have something very special image

    If they're not vine weevils (and if they have legs then they're not) they won't do a lot of damage to your plants.  They may cause a few temporary thin patches on your lawn - a small price to pay for helping to conserve these fascinating creatures.


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





  • AlieshAliesh Posts: 179

    Thanks for the link Dovefrombove i did not know about this! I won't be using it again as i love bees and grow flowers to attract them and other insects.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,109

    If you're watching Countryfile at the moment you'll be learning about the danger of neonicotinoids image

    Here is a list of pesticides that contain them 

    http://www.pan-uk.org/home-garden/list-of-home-and-garden-pesticides-containing-neonicotinoids 


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





  • ZiminukZiminuk Posts: 24
    Oh my goodness! It certainly looks exactly like the picture. Is it possible for me to have stag Beatle larvae. I live way up in the north west of England!
  • ZiminukZiminuk Posts: 24
    On reflection - they are very large!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,099

    How exciting if you do Ziminuk!image

    Dove-you're a dab hand with these links!image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,109

    Well, they don't start out that large, they do grow.  

    Or could yours be one of the other types of larvae shown?  Whereabouts are you finding them?


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





  • figratfigrat Posts: 1,619

    I'm going to experiment with an alternative non chemical approach - I microwave old potting compost to re-use, and if I find any VW larvae, am going to scrape out the compost and zap it. Will report back.

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