How big do vine weevils grow ?

[Toddy]

We lifted two pots of our Oca plants this afternoon, and despite having a garden that's sodden wet and slug heaven, there was very little slug damage

However, we did find one tuber pretty much hollowed out and another gone to a shell, and two of these white grubs.

They were about 3cms long though, and I don't mind ever finding vine weevils anywhere near that size.

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[Blundstoned Love]

Vine weevils grubs are only about a centimetre long.

That said I don't know what that is without looking in my RHS pests book - looks a bit like a wireworm - but the colour and form is not right.

 

[Toddy]

I thought vine weevils didn't get near that big, but I didn't know anything else that had that dark head and white body
They were right inside the tubers, just like vine weevils though.

I don't have the pests book, if you get a moment or two to have a looksee and recognise this beast, it'd be appreciated

cheers,
M

 

[Dobloz]

Just be glad it's not the size of the fella above... !!! :yikes:

 

[Blundstoned Love]

OK Will do.

It's some kind of beetle/weevil larvae for sure.

 

[British Red]

June beetle larva?

 

[British Red]

Looking around further it certainly resembles several beetle larvae

 

[Toddy]

It didn't look like that June beetle larvae (or is that maybe more mature ? ). It was very white, like the vine weevils, and it was incredibly active. So was the second one I found.

Wait and we'll find out that it's something I should have left, instead I fed them to the tame blackbird that comes as close to me as the robins.
He chooked happily at me as I put them in front of him on the compost bin lid.

Dobloz, I don't know what that is, but I'm pretty sure even the magpies would look twice at that !

M

 

[xylaria]

I found ones that size and shape in pot several years ago. Momma and pops crawled out the same pot. Black with bright purple fringe. Normal big ground beetle size just a prettier colour. At least i knew what was wrong with the plant. Beetle maggots all look the same really.

I am digging my oca up this week with the artichokes.

 

[Dobloz]

Toddy,

it may be some kind of moth larvae?
Brown or white shouldered house moth?

Look at the rear and mid placed feet...
Not sure, but don't think it's a beetle larvae tho?

 

[cranmere]

Any of these?
https://ladybirdplantcare.co.uk/SoilPests.htm

 

[Harvestman]

I'm with Dobloz here. That grub has pseudolegs, so it is a caterpillar of some description. The head looks right too. If you look at british Red's picture of a beetle larva you see that they only have three leg pairs, near the front. Caterpillars have false legs at the bag for extra grip, which Toddy's third picture shows quite clearly.

I don't know which moth though.

 

[British Red]

Do caterpillars over winter then Harvestman?

 

[Harvestman]

Do caterpillars over winter then Harvestman?

Often, yes. If they have a sheltered habitat like inside a tuber, so much the better. It depends on the species.

 

[British Red]

See? I've learned something today!

Thank you both

 

[Harvestman]

See? I've learned something today!

Thank you both

You left it late today

 

[British Red]

All hits count

 

[Toddy]

I am having difficulty looking at images of the things, but if anyone has a few moments to look up Swift Moths, could they maybe compare the images of their caterpillars with the photos I took.
Apparantly they are known for hollowing out and overwintering in spuds and other tubers, and they're large too, so it seems likely ?

Thank you,
M

 

[British Red]

certainly looks similar

 

[Toddy]

The ones I found didn't have those front legs though, or the hairs, it was very white, and the very rear end was dark too.....that's what made me first think it wasn't just an enormous vine weevil.
I think I'm wrong about the swift moth caterpillar then.

Thank you for helping

M