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White grubs

Hellebore birdHellebore bird Posts: 36
in Problem solving

Hi all can any oe identify these grubs that are eating through the roots of my hellebores in pots and in the ground they are around 2" long with orange head if any one can tell what they are i would be grateful also what means to control ?

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Posts

  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307

    Could well be, except that they should have legs at the head end. If no legs then wireworm larva is also a possibility.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,142

    This should help you to eliminate some possible candidates

    http://ptes.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Larvae-ID.pdf

    image


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





  • Hellebore birdHellebore bird Posts: 36

    There are legs right up at the top near its head it moves rapidly backwards if disturbed  so if i turn out a pot it luckily falls out of the compost so i can deal with it

    The cock chafer grubs do look similar but they are a lot chunkier and are curved these are straight and about 5mm thick.

  • Hellebore birdHellebore bird Posts: 36

    I have found these when i dig up plants to move and sometimes they have cut right through the roots up to around4" from the top so that the poor plant has to regrow them they are hiding in the roots near the top of the plant by then chomping away

  • Pink WelliesPink Wellies Posts: 10
    I planted nasturtiums in a pot to climb up a wall.  After a good start they withered and on investigation I find small clusters of transluscent type worms, very small.  They are not vine weevil.  Are these the culprits of failed nasturtiums please. They were in a cluster type ball but I have disturbed them here. Pictured near bottom of photo.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,577
    I was wondering if they're something called Pot Worms
    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/basics/pot-worms-in-compost.htm
  • Pink WelliesPink Wellies Posts: 10
    Thank you AnniD.  Have checked out the site.  Could be but it doesn't say they will affect the plants and I used shop-bought compost.  Maybe empty pot and just start again.  Left them exposed so they will either bury themselves again or the birds may have them.  I have a few interested blackbirds in my garden. Will investigate. 
     :)
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