Gigantic, Huge, compost monster

[trumpetvine]

I have a compost bin in the corner of my yard that has been there for many years. This year is the first year I have really used it as is meant to be used. Yesterday when I was digging a bucketful to put in some of my flower beds I found the BIGGEST, UGLIEST grub worm that I have ever seen in my life! I want to take a pic of it, but my camera is not working right. That thing has to be over 3/4 of an inch in diameter & hard to tell about length the way the stay in a roll, but he must be at leat 3 inches long. When I told my neighbor about it he said that he had found them in his compost bin before. Anyone else out there seen one of these super size grubs? http://www.plantswap.net/forum/images/smilies/eek.gif

Trumpetvine

[jessiebella677]

I have never seen one that big before but it must be kinda gross and cool at the same time! I have been digging up june bugs at their almost complete stage and I hate them. Anyway I wish I could see a picture of that big grub you found!
Jessie

[trumpetvine]

I think I have my camera working again.(Was probably the operator, me, & not the camera)http://www.plantswap.net/forum/image...es/biggrin.gif
I will try to take a pic & post it afterwhile.
I'm wondering if it could be the larva of something as large as a Stag Horn Bettle or something like that???? I know my little grandsons are going to flip out when they see it. They will have to take it to school, I'm sure.
Trumpetvine

[dirtyfingernails]

Hey trumpetvine,
I believe that you have found a fine specimen of a cicada grub.These things live for years before emerging and filling the air with their loud mating calls. They are'nt uncommon to find in compost piles . Fishermen use them with great success fishing for catfish. They do no harm , so you need'nt worry about them damaging any of your plants.They are fungus feeders.
Happy gardening,
Bill

[trumpetvine]

Hey Bill, Glad to know what they probably are. Guess as long as it takes them to hatch, no good in keeping them in a bucket to see what emerges!http://www.plantswap.net/forum/image...es/biggrin.gif
Cicadas were some of my favorite friends growing up. When I could find one to play with as a kid, it was a good day.....Even then didn't take much to keep me happy. I found another one in the bin yesterday. That makes 3. I have taken to spading the compost more gently. Didn't want to chop one of them. Now that I know they may be cicadas, I sure don't want to hurt them.
Could I just like put them on the ground behind my compost bin & put some of the compost material on top of them? I don't want to put them back in the bin & chance chopping them when I dig in there. Thanks for letting me know. My grandsons will be tickled to know what they are. Trumpetvine

[zuzu's petals]

Have a look at the whoppin' great grubs at THIS SITE
and see if you recognize your monster.

[trumpetvine]

Zuzu, The grub on the site (the one on the guy's glove from TX) you sent is like mine. Bill (Dirty Fingernails) sent a message saying he thought the grubs I have are possibly Cicada grubs. I don't know what they are. Just that they are whoppers! Thanks, Trumpetvine

[AlphaDog]

Trumpet: You're better than I am. 'Cause if I were to come across one of those things while diggin' in MY yard, I'd soil my britches and cut a trail running back to the house. YUCK!

Now, keep in mind. I'm a big strong man. And I don't mind bugs and stuff. But those things, especially THAT big, remind me of snakes and I'm not about to touch one. LOL

I'd rather have a thousand fleas from a camels butt infest my armpits than to touch one of those. Ewww..

[tarpalsfan]

HI, i am a newbie here and not used to your forum yet. I haven't been able to view your picture nor do I know what area you live in. But I do know a tiny bit about beetles. What you have could be a Hercules beetle larva/grub. The grubs grow up to about 4 inches. The grubs are usually found in/ around really old trees-but sometimes found in compost. The grubs feed on rotten wood and compost. The stag beetles like rotten wood and composting sawdust more. Anyway, the grubs you discribed sound pretty harmless and Hercules beetle won't eat your veggies either. One nice site is the Beetle Experience if you are really curious about that monster grub.

[trumpetvine]

Hi, & welcome to the site. It is a great site. I haven't been here long either, but it is so much fun & full of information. I went "bug hunting" on the web & in some of my old insect books & came to the same conclusion that you spoke about. The pics that I have found on line & in the books leads me to think that the grubs are indeed that of one of the large beetles, like the Stag or one of the Rhinocerous Beetles. We have in years past found some really big Rhinocerous Beetles out here on the lake where we live. The insect book said that some of the large beetle grubs took years , some even 10 years to change into the beetle. Wow! That is a long time. Since they are not harmful, even beneficial to the enviroment, I took them back out to the compost & dug a small area beside the bin, put them in it & covered them back with compost. That way I won't accidently chop them as I dig in the bin.
Thanks for your answer & again.........Welcome! Trumpetvine http://www.plantswap.net/forum/image...shakehands.gif

[trumpetvine]

I forgot to tell you.......look at my personal profile & click on my albums to see pics of the grubs.
Trumpetvine

[tarpalsfan]

I will look up your grub-oh, stag beetle grubs have wierd rear-ends-lol-sort of split into two little segments. sorry-lol

[MSgardener]

Hi, and welcome to the site.

[gardeningmom]

Welcome tarpalsfan! I think you are going to love it here. Everyone is so nice, helpful, and full of information.

[tarpalsfan]

Thank you for the kind words. I do like it here