Question
Grub? Cutworm?
Hello Jack,
I have this little bugger in my yard. I have noticed holes appearing in my Angel Trumpet over the last week and went investigating. I use sluggo for slugs and snails as well as the old method of pick them up and get rid of them. I am not sure what these guys are. I have spent a great deal of time trying to figure it out. I first thought they were caterpillars but after closer look they had no legs to speak of. They also do not have legs up front like a grub. They move like a caterpillar has a black pointed head ?? and what appears like whiskers in back side. They are residing about 2 inches below the surface as far as I can tell.
Have any idea?? Grub or maybe cutworm.. And would these eat my Angel Trumpets and Marigold leaves? That seems to be the only things bothered in a vast garden of flowers.
Thank you so much,
Michelle
AnswerMichelle,
The image is a bit dark but I'm pretty sure this is a crane fly larva, possibly the European crane fly (see http://www.livingwithbugs.com/cranefly.html for a drawing of the adult and larva). Crane fly adults look like giant mosquitoes but are harmless. Crane fly larvae (maggots) live in the soil where they feed on roots, mostly grasses. They are typically confined to damp soil but some species have adapted to dry turf soils and can be very damaging. They are not cause of the leaf damage in your garden. Unless you are seeing turf damage there's probably no need to control these larvae. Post a follow up if you have questions.
Jack DeAngelis
