What are these bugs and how do I get rid of them?

nikki2804

Hi, since we have had nicer weather lately I've been trying to tidy up my garden. I was edging the grass and pulled up a large section that was covering the path. Under this patch were large white grubs, they looked like caterpillars but had no legs, quite fat too. Then when I moved cardboard that had been sitting in the garden I found more, about 15 .

Any idea what they are? Someone mentioned weevils but a brief google suggested that the larvae were out in Autumn and not May? Also how do I get rid of them? My grass is in a sorry state so I'm wondering if they are part of the cause?

Thanks.

nonnatus

Yes, we used to get loads of them - they are the grub / larvae stage of some beetle or butterfly - I don't remember which. Harmless though, just very ugly!!

Biggles

They are probably the larvae of cockchafers (May Bugs or June Bugs). They are harmless.

However, if they are found near any rotting wood, they may well be the larvae of Stag Beetles, which are protected.

nikki2804

Had a look at cockchafer larvae pictures but they don't look the same, the grubs in my garden are all white, no legs or brown head.

No rotting wood nearby so hopefully not the protected Stag Beetle. I've nipped outside to try and get a picture but typically I can't find any.

DaftyDuck

However very ugly they may be, nonnatus, some other bug ger may love them. I know from experience.

nikki - they are very unlikely to be the cause of a ropey lawn. Leave them be as food for something or life-partner for another. Instead, describe your lawn problems and let us loose on that!

nikki2804

Haha I suppose someone, or something will love them!

Lawnwise, its full of lichen (sp?) which I know means drainage issues ( houses are built on top of an old foundry) but the grass itself looks scorched in some areas, bald and scabby in others. I did use some evergreen grass fertiliser on it but its had no effect . I think the garden (back) is east facing.

DaftyDuck

Simplest improvement would be drainage. Stick a fork in as deep as you can, wiggle it about, lift the turf very slightly, repeat endlessly. It's a good early-morning exercise routine. You can also top-dress with compost... any spare from pots, or used growbags, raked in thinly & lightly.

Lichen, not moss? Must be very wet indeed, but does supposedly prove the air quality is good!

nikki2804

Definitely lichen, looks like this https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=black+lichen+in+grass&safe=active&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=zLd0U4mvMYnHOeCKgIAI&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=360&bih=592#facrc=_&imgrc=PcEVCqFn_5J3PM%253A%3BAK-hQJR9cVRFxM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.lawnsciencesouthmanchester.co.uk%252Fimages%252Fblog%252Flichen%252Fdog_lichen.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.lawnsciencesouthmanchester.co.uk%252Fblog%252Fdog-lichen-peltigera%252F%3B1600%3B1200

There is moss in amongst it too

Previous owner planted umpteen conifers so I'm assuming that it used to be a lot worse. Bad thing is that I hate conifers!

I'll have a go with the fork at the weekend. Is it worth putting grass seed over the scorched patches?

DaftyDuck

You can add seed to any compost you put on, but I'd wait for a damp following few days. I should also have added that EVERYONE cuts their grass too short these days, then wonders why they have moss, and dead patches in summer.(I do too....).

Let it grow a couple of inches more while you improve it. Set the mower up a couple of notches, but cut just as often. That really helps.

onerickylambert

though i thought stag beetles laid eggs in rotting wood (at least that's what one of the fact boards at Kew says

nikki2804

I'm actually quite proud to say that the mower is on the highest setting (mainly because it was set to that one and I cant figure out how to change it :rotfl:)

Hopefully it will be nice this weekend and ill get it cut, aerated and fertilised.

Now I just need to figure out how to make the garden nice, its got a sudden slope which limits options

Thanks