Mystery bugs - Knowledgebase Question

Pests and Problems
Battle Ground, WA (Zone 6B)
Question by kittysyarn
April 14, 2007
While turning the soil in my flower beds this spring, I keep turning up these amber color pupi(sp?) looking bugs, about 1 1/4 long, 3/8 diameter, blunted on one end and coming to a point on the other with darker rings. I don't know what they are and just wondering if they could be harmful to any plant roots. I really don't want to use pesticides in my yard. Thanks


Image
Answer from NGA
April 14, 2007

0

 What you've uncovered are most likely cranefly pupa. When the larvae hatch they feed on the roots of plants. As long as the population isn't too high they won't do a lot of damage to the roots of your plants. I'd pick them out of the soil as you turn it over. Any that you miss will be snatched up by birds or attacked by ground beetles and other predators.

Best wishes with your garden!

You must be signed in before you can post questions or answers. Click here to join!

« Return to the Garden Knowledgebase Homepage

Member Login:

[ Join now ]

Garden.org Homepage
Help using the site
About
Contact
Terms of Service
Privacy
Memberlist
Acorns
Links
Ask a Question
Getting Started Gardening
Newsletter
NGA Merch

© 1972 - 2021 National Gardening Association

Times are presented in US Central Standard Time

Pinterest
Facebook
Youtube
Twitter
Instagram

Today's site banner is by lauriemorningglory and is called "Sunset in the Niobrara Valley"

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.