I found these larvae in my potted tomato plants. They look similar to several different larvae I've seen online with some being good and some being bad. I'm located in Ohio if region makes a difference. What kind of larvae do you think they are? Should I try to get rid of them? If so what is the best method?

Hi 614gardengnome! I am not an expert, but I think they are grub worms! If I am wrong someone will let me know. Have a good evening!

Hi 614gardengnome and to NGA

You say you're in Ohio, but I'm only familiar with Texas grub worms (maybe they're the same all over the country), anyway, they turn into June Bugs.

This video may help you out.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

Welcome to NGA, @614gardengnome !

I agree with Sharon, I think they are some type of beetle larva (grub). (Maybe Japanese beetles?) And yes, I think you should get them out of the pots, since they are most likely feeding on your plant roots; probably by repotting the tomato plants, if possible. If repotting doesn't seem possible (because your plants might be quite large by now?) there may be something you could put into the soil but I don't know what that would be; if no one steps in with some better advice you could ask at a local garden center, or your county extension office.

My first thought was possibly Grub Worms too; we have them in our yard ... along with Armadillos galore who eat them!

Photos for comparison: https://www.google.com/search?...

I don't know what county you're in, but here's the OSU "extension" website:
http://extension.osu.edu/

Contact info down to county level:
http://extension.osu.edu/lao

Ask an Ohio expert:
http://extension.osu.edu/ask-a...

I've seen other state extension services that had a much more extensive website for home gardeners!

They do look like "white grubs" which are the larvae of Scarab beetles. That could include several different species, like Japanese beetles, June beetles, European chafers and so on. They can be identified by the pattern of spines on their bottoms (raster). For the non-squeamish look on Google for raster pattern white grub and you could try and identify them yourself. It's not always easy to do, so your extension office should be able to ID them as Rick suggested.

Did you use garden soil in the pots? Just wondering how they got in there.

I don't know one grub from another, but when I had crane fly problems, that is what the grubs in the grass looked like. Extension office is a great suggestion.