On Sun, 4 Apr 2004 19:22:40 +0100, "nick gray"
wrote:



I dug up these revolting things today. They looked like one inch
white maggots but with red legs at the front. Does anyone know what
they were and if they're harmful or useful? I'm afraid that I killed
them cos they were so utterly disgusting so I hope they're not
gardeners friend material. I also found some mummified looking large
dark pink beetles. Are the two related I wonder?

Any help appreciated,

Andy

Hi Andy,

Sounds like they could be stag beetle larvae. Were you digging up an old
tree root? Stag beetle larvae are friends in the garden and feed on decaying
wood.

Do they look like this?

http://www.ptes.org/stagbeetle/Stag_.../aboutstag.htm

If you find any more, place them into some dead wood nearby.

Cheers


That's them - next lot will be placed on dead wood. Wonder what they
were doing about 300 yards from the nearest tree?