Soil bug experts, what are these?

Ekka · 20th August 2007, 11:22 PM

They're big, and they ain't witchetty grubs!

Also if you know what they are, what they do, why they are there and if/how to kill them.

Sean Freeman · 20th August 2007, 11:45 PM

African black beetles - Commonly these beetles attack lawns, vegetables and ornamental plants. In summer the beetles and their grubs feed on the roots of the lawn causing large dead patches. The adult beetles are most active in mating time, which occurs in early spring and late summer

Try here Gardenet: African Black Beetle

Ekka · 20th August 2007, 11:59 PM

I thought so, beetle larvae.

Also known as cockchafers.

Never seen ones this big and fat.

Could be a number of beetles larvae not just that one, rhino beetle, christmas beetle etc.

Kill them with Confidor, you tend to find them in pot plants a lot, doubt they'd do much to a tree, they're not borers, but they'd eat fine roots.

Ugly buggers, not even the green ants wanted to eat them.

20th August 2007, 11:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,671	African black beetles - Commonly these beetles attack lawns, vegetables and ornamental plants. In summer the beetles and their grubs feed on the roots of the lawn causing large dead patches. The adult beetles are most active in mating time, which occurs in early spring and late summer Try here Gardenet: African Black Beetle __________________ Sean Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness. - Kahlil Gibran

20th August 2007, 11:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,933	I thought so, beetle larvae. Also known as cockchafers. Never seen ones this big and fat. Could be a number of beetles larvae not just that one, rhino beetle, christmas beetle etc. Kill them with Confidor, you tend to find them in pot plants a lot, doubt they'd do much to a tree, they're not borers, but they'd eat fine roots. Ugly buggers, not even the green ants wanted to eat them. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

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