Whilst digging in my spuds I found a few of these maggotty things.
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/pigbun/DSC00840.jpg)
Any entamologists out there know what it is?
Is it a "good guy" or a "baddie"?
Thank you in advance of your replies.
MP
wireworm
a baddie, esp with potatoes
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
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]
I don't think it's any of those
(http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:Xxrti6YOjVmYxM:http://www.udel.edu/IPM/images/pests/wireworm3.jpg)
wire worm
(http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:gF7xmZzhYm-OSM:http://www.greatgrass.co.uk/Pictures/Chafer%2520Grub%2520%2520-%2520Scotts.jpg)
chafer grub
(http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:02-9doO4skVe5M:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/32/Tipula_leatherjacket_Emelt.jpg)
leatherjacket
So that only leaves caterpillar and vine weaval
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.
Forgot to say this is a picture of a later instar - when they develop more pronounced coloured chitin on their backs.
It's hard to be sure from the pic, but I think it's probably a beetle, in which case it's a goodie.
Good hint Robert its a Ground Beetle larvae
[attachment=1]
Well done Suzanne, you saved a good guy!
Many thanks Suzanne. ;D
On closer inspection it certainly does appear to be the "good guy".
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/pigbun/maggotythingatlottie.jpg)
It seems to have those "clear" patches on the top of each segment.
I'm always pleased to learn something new.
MP