Differentiation of grubs species
as Grubs are the relatively similar looking larvae of scarab beetles, zoologically Scarabaeuoidea. The most well-known in our latitudes or most common representatives of this superfamily are:
- Cockchafer
- June beetle
- Rose chafer
- Garden beetle
- Rhinoceros beetle
also read
- Should you fight rose chafer grubs?
- Identify grubs with a trained eye
- How to fight white grubs
Typical of grubs are their thick, fleshy caterpillar appearance with more or less long legs in the head area. Depending on the species, they can be up to 10 centimeters long. White grubs live for a long time, namely at least 2 years in their larval stage, before they pupate and turn into beetles.
White grubs are sometimes categorized as pests across the board. Some of them are anything but that: they are even extremely useful and therefore to be welcomed as much as possible by every hobby gardener. Being able to differentiate between the species is therefore crucial to whether one can benefit from them.
Useful grubs
The most useful species are the rhinoceros beetle and rose beetle grubs. Why? Because they do not feed on the roots of living plants like the other species that occur in our country. They conveniently prefer dead plant material, especially wood. That's why you only find them on compost heaps. These produce when eaten, rotting tree and shrub cuttings are digested Engerlinge humic substances which, as a very slowly degradable humus component, lead to the formation of Lead permanent humus. Such permanent humus is very valuable for a gradual, nutrient-rich long-term fertilization of your plants.
How can you recognize rhinoceros beetle and rose beetle grubs?
Apart from the fact that they identify themselves simply by their presence in the compost, rhinoceros beetle and rose beetle grubs can also be recognized directly by their appearance.
The rhinoceros beetle larvae, for example, are particularly large: they can reach up to 10 centimeters, which is why they are very easily visible in the compost heap. In contrast to the other grub species, they lack the so-called row of thorns in the rear, silvery-gray area. Rose beetle larvae are much smaller, only about 3 centimeters long, but very thick-fleshed. They become a little thinner towards the abdomen and have only very short legs in front. Their way of moving on their backs is also characteristic.