CLOSED: Giant Grubs

I'm located outside of Austin in the TX hill country and have found over 100 of these in a 5'X10' raised vegetable bed. The soil is a beautiful blend that a neighbor had purchased and hauled in from a nearby nursery early this spring, but the grubs are probably larva of neighborhood beetles. I discovered them in Sept as I was cleaning out old greenbean vines and turning the soil to get ready for a fall planting. They are almost 3 inches long and about almost 1 inch wide with brown faces. I have seen some chunky girthed 2 inch long brown beetles in the yard before and assume that they are good for breaking down organic matter but wonder if they are harmful to actively growing vegetables in the bed. Even though I did a pretty thorough job of turning the soil, I'm sure I must have missed some of the grubs in there. Right now I'm growing garlic in that bed.

They look like they might be hornworms. The ones that turn into hummingbird moths.

Xerichick, I think those are Rhinocereus Beetle grubs, or eastern Hercules Beetle grubs...they get huge, but only feed on decaying plant matter in the grub stage. I have also heard them called Fruit beetle grubs. Here is a picture of the Hercules beetle grub.

http://www.uky.edu/Ag/CritterFiles/casefile/insects/beetles/hercules/hercules.htm

it would be so cool if that were them. they are becoming endangered.

They look like a beattle grub to me. Hornworms make a big brown chrysalis underground, but the larva/caterpillar stage is above ground.

I agree Track, it would be great if that is what they turn out to be. Whenever we run across them in the compost pile we put them to the side and when through, bury them back....grin

Thanks for all responses, especially the informative link from themoonhowl that provided some good pictures and such an in-depth analysis of Hercules Beetles. These are definitely not hornworm chrysalis and could very well be Hercules Beetles. I was careful to move my stash of grubs to another area of the yard but had to feed a handful to my rooster after they were accidentally stabbed with my spading fork. Is it the Hercules or Rhino that is endangered? The link provided by themoonhowl was fascinating and says, "The Eastern Hercules Beetle is one of the most sought-after insects in Kentucky, and makes an impressive mounted specimen or photo subject." While the article gives instructions on hunting and mounting the beetles, it does also say that rearing of Hercules has become a popular hobby and goes on to provide detailed instructions. I think I'm going to stick to gardening ;-).

This message was edited Nov 9, 2009 9:19 AM

The names seem to be used almost interchangeably, but the Eastern Hercules is listed as endangered. I used a different search engine and these links may be more helpful to your area.

http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/bimg144.html

This is a complete list of bugs in your area....grin click on a name for info...

http://insects.tamu.edu/extension/youth/4hsg.html#top

whenever i see one, i always try to help it along to where it seems to be heading. they usually end up trying to get somewhere difficult and get toppled on to their backs. they don't have much luck getting righted unless they have something they can grab hold of to turn over again.

I sort of look at them as the turtles of the bug world....grin

lol