CLOSED: Found in dirt - what is this?!

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hollyhock17 Merritt Island, FL(Zone 9b) Nov 20, 2015

This was rolling around in the soil in an herb garden - near some pineapple sage actually. In central FL, zone 9b. Any idea what it is?

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Chillybean (Zone 5a) Nov 20, 2015

It's a grub. I've seen ones like this and I was told they are likely the larvae of June Beetles. Because we have so many birds foraging the yard, I've not noticed damage here.

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Flapdoodle Minot, ND Nov 20, 2015

It is most likely a larva ('white grub') of a beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, that includes May beetles/June bugs, etc. However, there also are larvae of some stag beetles (family Lucanidae) that can be very similar in appearance.

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1lisac Liberty Hill, TX(Zone 8a) Nov 20, 2015

They eat the roots of your plants, squish it. Lol They are more likely to be found in an area where a lawn (grass) has previously been grown. At this time of year they are usually deeper in the soil. I've pulled up plants and had them attached to the roots.

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hollyhock17 Merritt Island, FL(Zone 9b) Nov 21, 2015

Oh no! So it's bad. And I let it go. Oh well. Maybe I can find it again later and squish it!

Thank you all!! I will be on the watch for these. First time I've ever seen one! It was in soil where good things (i.e., wanted things, not weeds) have been planted before, kinda surprised to see this!

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1lisac Liberty Hill, TX(Zone 8a) Nov 21, 2015

If this the first one you've seen I wouldn't worry about it. If you see anymore my recommendation would be to squish it.

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Chillybean (Zone 5a) Nov 21, 2015

I do not think grubs are a big deal. If a yard is not chemically treated the birds can find a feast and usually do a good job. As many grubs as we've accidentally dug up, there's got to be a sizeable number. Yet we have found no damage by them, either to the lawn or my flowers. We did back at our last home with all the dead patches of grass.

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