Soil bugs what are they?

Discussion in 'Pests, Diseases and Cures' started by The Lost Antheus, Apr 5, 2008.

  1. The Lost Antheus

    The Lost Antheus Gardener

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    On another thread I mentioned a gentiana that was doing poorly. So I lifted it and popped it in a pot as it was suggested that its poor performance was as a result of being hungry. However I took a closer look at it today and put it into some fresh ericaious compost and I noticed that in the soil there were quite a few small white larvae type things a bit like a cross between a nematode and a maggot probably about 5mm long at most, thin, pointed at the front and slightly thicker to the back, legless. I know it is a bit vague but has anyone an idea of what they might be (tried a photo but they were too small to focus on)? Should I be worried about the rest of the rockery?
     
  2. daitheplant

    daitheplant Total Gardener

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    If they were curved with brown heads, that is vine weevil. Wash all the compost off the roots and replant in fresh. Kill all the grubs.
     
  3. The Lost Antheus

    The Lost Antheus Gardener

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  4. walnut

    walnut Gardener

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    T L A if possible try and post a picture it would help with ID's.
     
  5. The Lost Antheus

    The Lost Antheus Gardener

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    I am on it I don't have them as i got ride of those I found but they looked a something like this
    [​IMG]
     
  6. walnut

    walnut Gardener

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    Don't think they are vine weevil John on the pic they are quite translucent could be fungus gnats they can grow up to 6mm,T L A do you get the adult gnats flying about around the pots?
    http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/lso/fungusgnats.htm
     
  7. The Lost Antheus

    The Lost Antheus Gardener

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    I thought fungus gnats after a quick google but the plant in question was lifted straight from the bed and hadn't been long in the pot. Could they spread outside?
     
  8. walnut

    walnut Gardener

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    They can live outside in summer wouldn't think they would survive the frosts though,something here that will kill them Imidacloprid (Provado Ultimate Bug Killer concentrate)a systemic bug contol.
     
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