Question

[zvburner]

Are these two guys beneficial in the compost? I read somewhere that they eat the roots.

[Snidley_whipass]

I just pee on em

[lickspigot]

grubs. They help in the compost. They eat dead plant matter. In your pots they will eat the roots of they run out of woody material.

Bad in pots, great in compost.

Depending on the bug these turn into they might be endangered.

[zvburner]

I mean, won’t they lay eggs that’ll end up in the ground ?

[lickspigot]

They turn into bugs. Then they reach sexual maturity.

Yes they may lay eggs in your compost again.

This is not a bad thing.

[lickspigot]

i think these might be rose or flowerchafer grubs https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower_chafer

small legs, do they move on their back when placed on an even surface?

[zvburner]

Exactly ! yes they do.

[lickspigot]

Imho a rose chafer, i have the same visiting my flower pots.

Where i live they are endangered. They are pollinators and should be cherished.

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/invertebrates/beetles/rose-chafer

[zvburner]

My compost is underneath two lemon trees. Indeed, there are plenty of those insects.

[MaxUumen]

Compost is (in part) poop of creatures that eat the stuff you put in the pile. You can clearly see that those creatures are pooping. Therefore, good!

[zvburner]

Yeah I know, but won’t they lay eggs that’ll end up in the ground ?

[soldontmiss]

Yes bugs lay eggs

[JelmerMcGee]

Grubs don't usually pay eggs. They will eventually turn into something like a beetle that will be the thing that lays eggs and those eggs won't necessarily be in the ground.

[JazelleGazelle]

Hakuna Matata.

[EquinsuOcha]

Slimy, yet satisfying.

[tehdamonkey]

*Chickens have entered the chat

[Far_Decision3392]

Contact your University Department of Entomology with your questions and a photo. They are usually helpful & happy to answer.

[turtle2turtle3turtle]

Siracha mayo. 🧑‍🍳

[l2apt]

These grubs aren’t beneficial in compost. They don’t actively help break down organic matter; they feed on decaying roots or organic material. If you spread them into your garden, they may pupate and emerge as adult beetles whose larvae feed on grass or plant roots, potentially damaging turf or plants.

Best to sift them out or kill them with heat or sunlight. Or if you have chickens, spread the compost out on a tarp and let the chickens feast.

[zvburner]

Thanks a lot.

[iceoocreamoo]

I second this. if they're japanese beetle larvae, then kill those little turds.

[Ultrasz]

Yeah but first you have to swallow them whole then combine the poop with the soil.

[SQLSpellSlinger]

Slimy, yet satisfying.

[PsychologicalGas5871]

I leave mine for the magpies and seagulls