Beetle Babies: What exactly are beetle larvae?
January 3rd, 2010 Posted in Beetles & Ladybugs
Beetles go through a complete metamorphosis. They start as eggs and by the end of their life cycle, they have become adults. But in between, they must go through a larvae stage.
This article will tell you about the beetle larvae stage and which larvae to look out for. Finally, this article will tell you about EcoSMART and how it can combat beetle larvae before they become adults.
Types of Larvae
Larvae is the stage beetles go through after they hatch from their eggs but before they become adults. There are many different types of larvae.
Some common types are:
White Grubs, a very common larvae. They are white with brown heads and are large and plump. They usually curve into a C-shape. Think of the grub Timon and Pumba teach Simba to eat in the The Lion King. They live in and under rotting logs, mostly. They grow up to be Japanese beetles, May beetles, green June beetles, and chafers.
Wireworms, a straight bodied larvae. They are a pale brown. Wireworms are narrow and hard shelled and look like a piece of wire. They live in soil and eat roots, making them potentially destructive. Wireworms turn into click beetles.
Mealworms, a wireworm like larvae. They grow up to be darkling beetles and are known to live in barn chaff.
Roundheaded wood borers, a legless, fleshy larvae. They are broad and flat with a little rounded section behind the head. These larvae live under loose tree bark or burrow into wood, which makes them possible pests to your trees and wood homes. They grow up to become long-horned beetles.
Flatheaded wood borers, another legless, fleshy larvae. They resemble roundheaded wood borers, except that they are completely flat and don’t have a rounded section behind their head. They also live in wood or under loose tree bark.
Leaf beetle larvae, plump, soft-bodied larvae. They live on plants and become adults that bear the same name as the plants they prey upon. Some common leaf beetles are the Colorado potato beetle, elm leaf beetle, cereal leaf beetle, and asparagus beetle.
Mexican bean beetle, a yellow and spiny larvae. They live on bean leaves and feed upon them. But they don’t belong to the leaf beetle family and are instead part of the ladybird beetle family.
Destructive Larvae
While many beetle larvae are harmless until they become adults, some larvae are actually more destructive than they will be as adults.
- Japanese beetle larvae (white grubs) feed on grass and can cause brown spots on your lawn.
- Wireworms eat roots and can kill some plants.
- Leaf beetle larvae eat leaves of the plants in your yard or garden and can carry diseases that will kill your plants.
Paying attention to your plants will go a long way in preventing beetle larvae from attacking them. If you see little holes on your plant leaves, you may have a burgeoning beetle problem. If your yard is turning brown in spots, you may have a problem with white grubs. Watch for the signs and then take measures to kill the larvae.
Ridding Your Plants of Larvae
So you have identified one of the above larvae on your plants? You have some options to get rid of the larvae. Insecticides are always an effective way to get rid of larvae.
When picking an insecticide, you might want to consider that insecticides made from synthetic materials can be destructive to the environment. Plus, these insecticides can be harmful to children and pets who may ingest them.
EcoSMART insecticides are made from plant oils, so they are natural and work with the environment, instead of against it. If you have a problem with beetle larvae in your garden, consider Garden Insect Killer. It will effectively kill beetle larvae while preserving your garden.
13 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers!
By D. McPherson on Jan 27, 2010
Does the Lawn Insect Killer kill grubs in the lawn??? I don’t have a problem with the grubs killing my grass yet, but I have a problem with moles tearing up my yard getting to the grubs. I’m hoping by getting rid of the grubs, that I’ll get rid of the moles.
By EcoSMART Carrie on Jan 27, 2010
Thanks for asking, D. McPherson.
The Lawn Insect Killer kills and repels over 100 lawn pests and should help get rid of your grubs. Just connect it to a hose and spray.
However, as with most pest control products, EcoSMART kills on contact. So if the grubs are hidden deep underground, it may not seep into the earth deep enough to get them.
By D. McPherson on Jan 28, 2010
Thanks for your reply. This spring I’ll have to look into how deep the grubs are, and maybe trying out the lawn spray. Do you by chance have any idea how low the grubs can be for the lawn spray to get to them?
By Samantha Becker on Mar 21, 2010
Hi. We have just moved into our new home and have such problems with bugs! Tons of ANTS and I have found those white grubs while digging out my herb garden. Our grass is terrible and full of patches.
Are your products available in South Africa? Johannesburg?
By EcoSMART Megan on Mar 22, 2010
Dear Samantha Becker,
Unfortunately, we cannot ship our products to South Africa.
But a simple online search should reveal manufacturers of organic products in your area.
By Donna L. on Mar 24, 2010
Hi. I live in New Jersey and would like to apply your product to control grubs and also to control deer ticks. Would April 15th (approx) be a good time to apply or should I apply earlier or later? Thank you.
By EcoSMART Megan on Mar 25, 2010
Dear Donna L.,
Good question.
EcoSMART works by targeting an insect’s central nervous system, essentially giving these pests a nervous breakdown which kills them.
EcoSMART works best on contact so I would just keep my eye out for those buggers then use EcoSMART to get rid of them.
By Donna L. on Mar 25, 2010
Thanks Megan,
As it relates to ticks, the best time would be now (March/April) while the adults are emerging on last time to eat, lay eggs and then die. I can reapply to go after the nymphs in May-July that were hatched the year before.
As it relates to the grubs, they are coming up to the lawn April/May to become Japanese beetles in June/July, so that’s why I was thinking April 15th would be a good time to kill two pests at once. For the grubs, I was thinking of using a systemic killer or milky spore in July as the new larvae start to feed and go deeper in the ground.
Does your product work on yellow jackets as well and if so, when should I apply that?
Thanks again for your help!
By EcoSMART Megan on Mar 26, 2010
Dear Donna L.,
EcoSMART makes a Wasp & Hornet Killer that takes care of any wasp, hornet or yellow jacket problems you may have.
The best time to use this spray is at the first sign of a nest on your property. Then spray the nest at sunrise or sunset (the insects are less active then).
Stand a safe distance and spray to kill any living the nest or any that fly out. Make sure the wind is to your back. Good luck!
By Jennifer on Jun 1, 2010
Hi,we moved into our home at the end of April, it had been vacant for over a year so needless to say we have intruded on anything that crawls and flies, and bites. this past weekend my toddler went into our mud room when I heard a horrific scream from him, when my husband went out there there was a Giant Stag Beetle latched onto his foot, my husband does not think all natural pesticides work, and from what I have read these things are hard to kill anyway, please tell me you have a product to help us rid these disgusting things. Our son has a mild form of Autism so I try to do things natural, please help!
By EcoSMART Zach on Jun 2, 2010
Hi Jennifer,
I would suggest using EcoSMART’s home pest control to battle the beetles as well as any additional insect pests you have around the house.
Also be on the lookout for the larvae, as prevention tends to be the best medicine.
By Shawn on Nov 20, 2010
Hello.
Any idea why I am finding June Beetle Larva crawling around on my kitchen floor? We have found 12 now over the last 2 1/2 weeks. Only coming out in the middle of the night or early morning. Most of the time in front of the fridge where the night light is. They are the fat juicy larva that is posted at the top of this web page. It is Mid November here in Indiana and we did have a nasty drought this last half of the summer. I have searched the web and found no info on this… Perhaps it has been the wonkie weather we have had and they are confused…
Any information you ould provide would be great. Thank you in Advance. Shawn
By EcoSMART Kait on Dec 15, 2010
Hi Shawn,
I’m not sure why you had June Beetle Larva in your house in November. It could definitely be due to the strange weather. They could also have been carried in on plants or possibly wood. But if you need to get rid of them, you could try EcoSMART Home Pest Control.