CLOSED: What is this big ugly bug?

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
rbb555 Los Angeles, CA Mar 23, 2009

This grub was found in 1 foot of dirt in Los Angeles. Slow moving, larg jaws with a trasparent membrane over it. 1.5 inches long

This message was edited Mar 23, 2009 8:27 AM

Thumbnail by rbb555
Post #6306466
Quote
stephanietx Fort Worth, TX(Zone 8a) Mar 23, 2009

It's a Rhinoceros Beetle. Very beneficial in the compost pile.

Post #6306480
Quote
suunto Sinks Grove, WV Mar 23, 2009

Without knowing the size of this critter, it may be disingenuous to assume that it is a larva of a rhinoceros beetle (Coleoptera: Scarbaeidae; subfamily Dynastinae), which prefer to feed in rotting wood/compost rather than in soil. Larvae of many species of scarab beetles superficially resemble one another, and it may take examination under a microscope to be certain of specific identification.

Post #6306910
Quote
holeth Corpus Christi, TX(Zone 9a) Apr 20, 2009

Thanks, Suunto! We have Chafer, Japanese, and June Beetles here, & can't tell the larvae apart! Glad to know it takes some serious scientific examination!!! :-)

Post #6437469
Quote
neworleansdude New Orleans, LA(Zone 9b) Apr 21, 2009

We have the same ones down here, but I don't know what they are...so far as I can tell they don't hurt the plants so I don't squash them. It may be something in the beetle family, but I would think from the size it would be large in it's adult form, and it just seems way too big to be a june bug.

::shrugs::

Post #6441190
Quote
suunto Sinks Grove, WV Apr 21, 2009

Just for the record, it is quite usual for the grubs of scarab beetles to be bigger/heavier than the adults of the same species.

Post #6441378
Quote
neworleansdude New Orleans, LA(Zone 9b) Apr 22, 2009

Cool to know suunto, thanks for the info. I'm guessing the ones I've seen are Junebugs then, since we don't really have many beetles in the garden (but tons of Junebugs in...you guessed it May and June)

:)

Post #6446081
Quote
Malus2006 Coon Rapids, MN(Zone 4a) Apr 25, 2009

What about staghorn beetles? The ones we have around here are the largest grubs - almost 2 inches long.

Post #6459206
Quote
suunto Sinks Grove, WV Apr 25, 2009

Staghorn beetle (family Lucanidae) larvae appear very similar to scarab beetle larvae; one difference being that the anal opening in lucanid larvae is between two fleshy pads, these pads are absent in scarab beetle larvae.

Post #6459616
Quote
Malus2006 Coon Rapids, MN(Zone 4a) Apr 26, 2009

Ah thanks - look like staghorn beetle is eliminated.

Post #6463184
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Insect and Spider Identification Threads

Go to all Insect and Spider Identification threads
BACK TO TOP