Crawly thing - some kind of grub (?) with legs
by Debra Peters
+4
Ok, I've found two of these icky looking things in the dirt - put the last one on the table to take a picture and it disappeared - I think a bird got it. here is the description:
it was about 1 inch long, maybe. Found it all curled up in the dirt. Dark brown head, white body that shows grayness at the bottom. It has six very small legs on the very front of it's body, just below the head. Kind of slimy looking, had gloves on so didn't touch it - ugh!
I live in Arizona, my dirt has composted mulch and steer manure added to the rock hard caliche.
I don't think they do any damage in this "grub" stage and I will continue to dispose of them when I find them. Just wondering what it might be... lol
it was about 1 inch long, maybe. Found it all curled up in the dirt. Dark brown head, white body that shows grayness at the bottom. It has six very small legs on the very front of it's body, just below the head. Kind of slimy looking, had gloves on so didn't touch it - ugh!
I live in Arizona, my dirt has composted mulch and steer manure added to the rock hard caliche.
I don't think they do any damage in this "grub" stage and I will continue to dispose of them when I find them. Just wondering what it might be... lol
6 answers
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Hi Debra, it sounds like the ones we have. And yes VERY yucky, turns my stomach at first sight. My dogs actually dig them up and eat them, ewwwww. Anyhow it sounds like June bug larvae. And the only thing I've found to kill them is Bayer insecticide. When they are real bad, you'll find dead spots in the yard usually in round circles. My opinion . But if you find it's something different pleas let me know !
![Lisa McDaniel]()
Lisa McDaniel
on May 28, 2013
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I don't have a lawn, so not worried about that. (trying to keep a lawn healthy in AZ is almost impossible, not to mention the water usage) Just don't want these things to turn into something that is going to damage my vegetable gardening ( I figure using water to produce food is a good thing! lol) We have enough problems with ground critters (pocket gophers?)...
![Debra Peters]()
Debra Peters
on May 28, 2013
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@Debra Peters it indeed sounds like a June bug larvae or the more destructive European beetle larvae...a.k.a "grub". They can indeed do some major damage to lawns....they feed on the tender roots of grasses. Not sure if they will damage your veggie plants or not. I had a major problem with these in my yard last year and they killed a good portion of our lawn, but I do not think that they damaged any of my "garden" plants. I used Milky Spore on my lawn to kill the grubs and it will not hurt the dogs. It is an organic solution to the problem and it will continue to work for years. This year I have definitely not seen as many of the grubs. I have a dog that will eat the grubs too, makes my stomach turn to see him eating them.
![Jayme]()
Jayme
on May 28, 2013
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@Debra Peters you can also look up beneficial nemetodes.....forgot about these. This is what I am going to use in my garden this year to kill the grubs that reside there.
![Jayme]()
Jayme
on May 28, 2013
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Yep, looked up the June bug on the web - my icky grub is the larva of the June bug. Now, I know what that black beetle is that I see around! Thanks for the answer!! Sounds like it is the larvae are the most destructive - they will eat roots of grasses, vegetables, and ornamental plants. Thanks, again, for your help!!
![Debra Peters]()
Debra Peters
on May 28, 2013
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if you live in the country, chickens will usually take care of any grub problems....
![Capernius]()
Capernius
on May 26, 2015
Lisa McDaniel
on May 28, 2013
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