What's this?

[Mushy Pea]

Whilst digging in my spuds I found a few of these maggotty things.



Any entamologists out there know what it is?

Is it a "good guy" or a "baddie"?

Thank you in advance of your replies.

MP

[Mushy Pea]

[Bugloss2009]

wireworm

a baddie, esp with potatoes

[Baccy Man]

Chafer grub, usually regarded as a pest but the local bird population will appreciate any you dig up.

Looking more closely it could be a wireworm

[davyw1]

Its a leather jacket larvae from the crane fly they are usualy found a couple of inches under the soil. they crawl round the young veg to feed.

[attachment=1]

[Unwashed]

I don't think it's any of those


wire worm


chafer grub


leatherjacket

[davyw1]

So that only leaves caterpillar and vine weaval

[Suzanne]

If you look closely you will see it has a definite head with jaws. I think it is a beetle larvae (potemtially looks like an early instar of a ground beetle?). So a good guy - they eat slug eggs and young slugs.

[Suzanne]

Forgot to say this is a picture of a later instar - when they develop more pronounced coloured chitin on their backs.

[Robert_Brenchley]

It's hard to be sure from the pic, but I think it's probably a beetle, in which case it's a goodie.

[davyw1]

Good hint Robert its a Ground Beetle larvae

[attachment=1]

[Unwashed]

Well done Suzanne, you saved a good guy!

[Mushy Pea]

Many thanks Suzanne.  ;D

On closer inspection it certainly does appear to be the "good guy".



It seems to have those "clear" patches on the top of each segment.

I'm always pleased to learn something new.

MP