Odd Looking Grub in Compost

pdxwindjammer · March 20, 2011

Today I was digging in my compost and pulling out the mostly decayed matter from the bottom. I found MANY grub that I haven't noticed before. Here is a description that I hope will help you to identify what it might be:

Brown and about an inch long. Looks similar to a rolly polly or potato bug in that it has sections on both sides but no legs. It is not round but kind of flat with two distinct sides.

Can someone help me name this and let me know if it will be a detriment to my garden if I use this compost in my raised beds?

Thanks!

pdxwindjammer · March 20, 2011

I did a bit of googling and it seems these are black soldier fly larvae. Most seem to think it is a beneficial and not harmful to live plants? I would like confirmation before I plant my greens starts in the bed I just tossed this compost on.

Thanks!

shatbox · March 20, 2011

I have had them in my compost before and have experienced that they are harmless. In fact, when their population is up, I get fewer grubs. I guess they out compete. The life cycle isn't very long and the birds usually snap them up quickly.

David Marek · March 28, 2011

Poke around in that compost at night.
They might glow.

-David
Occasional night gardener.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lampyris_noctiluca

P.S. I now only add compost the previous fall for beans, greens, and most roots. I leave it on top as mulch. I was ending up with too many seedling skeletons because of sowbugs, etc. I am starting to till some areas again so I will have to re-learn some techniques. Like weeding.

March 20, 2011	#1
pdxwindjammer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 625	Odd Looking Grub in Compost Today I was digging in my compost and pulling out the mostly decayed matter from the bottom. I found MANY grub that I haven't noticed before. Here is a description that I hope will help you to identify what it might be: Brown and about an inch long. Looks similar to a rolly polly or potato bug in that it has sections on both sides but no legs. It is not round but kind of flat with two distinct sides. Can someone help me name this and let me know if it will be a detriment to my garden if I use this compost in my raised beds? Thanks!

March 20, 2011	#3
shatbox Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Los Angeles County, CA Posts: 258	I have had them in my compost before and have experienced that they are harmless. In fact, when their population is up, I get fewer grubs. I guess they out compete. The life cycle isn't very long and the birds usually snap them up quickly.

March 28, 2011	#4
David Marek Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: St Charles, IL zone 5a Posts: 142	Poke around in that compost at night. They might glow. -David Occasional night gardener. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lampyris_noctiluca P.S. I now only add compost the previous fall for beans, greens, and most roots. I leave it on top as mulch. I was ending up with too many seedling skeletons because of sowbugs, etc. I am starting to till some areas again so I will have to re-learn some techniques. Like weeding.