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Posted in Garden Worms Grub Worms Worms Generally

Grubs on Dining Room Floor are Acorn Weevil Larvae

“What is this worm that I keep finding on my dining room floor?” asks Stacey in her submission regarding the white worm pictured below. “We have looked and can’t find them anywhere, but all of a sudden we find them in the morning and we clean them up. And when we get home in the afternoon we find a couple more.” Based on the excellent photo Stacey sent in, we think she found an acorn weevil larva. Acorn weevils are brown beetles that bore holes through acorns to lay their eggs inside. Once they hatch, the larvae will eat the insides of the acorns until they fall from the tree, after which the larvae will bore a new hole through the acorns to exit from, and consequently tunnel into the soil to pupate (the process of metamorphosing into the adult insect).

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Posted in Grub Worms Worms Facts Worms Generally

Velvety, Black, Worm-like Creatures in Apartment are Soldier Beetle Larvae

“I keep finding this worm around my apartment”, writes Alyssa in her submission regarding the segmented, velvety black, worm-like critter pictured below. “It first started by finding them by the front door then I found one in the kitchen one day, one in the living room and now two by/in my bedroom. The living room and bedroom are carpeted, the kitchen is not and neither is by the front door. They are about an inch in length and I usually find them curled up in a circle. I am a pretty clean person and clean once a week so I’m unsure why I’ve been finding these for the past week or so. I’d like to get rid of them for good but am not sure what they are! Help!”

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Posted in Cat Worms Grub Worms Worms Found in the House

Pink Worm with Forked Rear is a Beetle Larva

“My cat dropped this on my chest”, writes Taylor in his submission regarding the pink, worm-like creature with a white head and pronged rear. “What is it? A worm? A centipede? I included a picture of how it looks and a video to show how it moves. I appreciate your help!” Now, while being shaped like a worm and having clear-cut segmentation like a centipede, we do not believe this creature is either a worm or a centipede. We actually think it is a larva, specifically a beetle larva. We are not certain exactly which species of beetle this belongs to. The pink coloration reminds us of the scarlet malachite beetle, but the white head throws us off that course. In fact, the inchworm-like movements of the creature (as seen in the video linked below) has us doubting if it is a beetle larva at all.

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Posted in Garden Worms Grub Worms Worms Generally

Hundreds of Plump Grubs in Mulch are Chafer Beetle Larvae

“What type of grub do you think these are?” asks Pat in her submission regarding the dozens of plump, white, worm-like critters pictured below. “Hundreds in my mulch.” Well, despite the fact that Pat did not include that much context, we know exactly what these are based on the fantastic photo she sent us (which we thank her for). These guys are chafer beetle larvae/grubs. You cannot get more grub-like than a chafer beetle larva: they are the token grub (‘grub’ being a term that loosely refers to any larva of a beetle, but which has, over the years, started to refer specifically to beetle larvae of this appearance).

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Posted in Grub Worms Parasite Worms Pest Worms

Do Palm Tree Borers Infect Humans?

“Can a human get worm borers from palm trees?” asks Chris in his submission. “I am a tree trimmer and want to know if the borers can get in a human?” Chris asks some good questions here, and the short answers to his question are ‘no’ and ‘yes’: we will explain why exactly that’s the case. To start with, we have to address that Chris did not send in any photos, and as there are multiple types of palm borers, we do not know exactly which species Chris is referring to. For example, there is the palm borer moth caterpillar (Paysandisia archon), but there is also the palm borer beetle larva (Dinapate wrightii), both of which resemble worms. Fortunately, it does not really matter in this case, given Chris’ question, as the answer will be the same across the board for every palm borer species.

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Posted in Grub Worms Interesting Bugs Worms Found in the House

White, Segmented Worm with Pronged Rear is a Beetle Larva

“What is the specific type of this worm?” writes Imina in her submission regarding the segmented, cream-colored worm pictured below. “It is from my ceiling and drops onto my pillow every night.” To begin with, we have to commend Imina on the excellent photo she took, and thank her for taking a photo next to a rule, which is the best way for us to understand its size. This creature does not even reach one centimeter (approximately 0.4-inches) in length. It has a bulbous brown head and a similarly-colored prong on its rear. Based on its physical characteristics, we have concluded that this is a beetle larva.

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Posted in Garden Worms Grub Worms Worms Generally

White Worms With Brown Heads in Light Fixture are Beetle Larvae

“Can you identify the worm or larvae in the pictures I attached?” asks Nicholas in his submission regarding the white creature with a brown head pictured below. “These were found in my home in Plantation Florida. So far, they have been found mainly on the floor, within approximately a 15-foot diameter area. There were several found inside a ceiling mounted light, they are in the picture displaying several individuals. There is no apparent point from which they have emerged. They have not come from, or gotten to, any of our food supplies yet. It is a cool area, near our a/c unit, a bathroom (where the aforementioned ceiling light is), and a bedroom, with a small hall area connecting the areas. From this area, a few have made it toward our kitchen and dining room, but they have hopefully mostly all been caught. We have lived in this home for six years and this is the first time seeing these. I am aware they “look like” black fly maggots, but I have seen maggots many times, these appear different. Six legs I believe, no easily visible hairs. Any information you may provide would be greatly appreciated.”

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Posted in Earthworms Garden Worms Grub Worms

Do Earthworms Transfer Insect Eggs to New Soil?

“My garden plot has many thriving earth worms but, unfortunately, an infestation of grubs”, begins Ken in his submission. He did not attach any photos. “My plan is to swap out the infested soil for a new soil/compost mixture, while saving as many of the earthworms as I see while doing so, then adding them to the new soil. My question: is it possible that the earthworms would transfer grub eggs to the new soil by either having them attached to their bodies or from having ingested them? Thanks, I look forward to your answer.” To start off, we want to thank Ken for the fascinating question, one that fortunately does not require the addition of a photograph.

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Posted in Grub Worms Interesting Bugs Worms Generally

Green and Black Organisms Likely Connected to Weevils or Leafcutter Bees

“Can you please identify these?” asks Shanan in her submission regarding two, green and black objects, as well as a bug-like organism, all pictured below. “I’ve been living this nightmare for three years now. I just assumed that they were fabric moths and carpet beetles in different stages. I live on an island off the southern tip of Georgia called Saint Simons Island.” At first glance, we can tell Shanan that these are not fabric moths (AKA “clothes moths”) or carpet beetles. We think the green objects could be the product of leafcutter bees, and that the bug is a weevil.

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Posted in Grub Worms Pest Worms Worms Generally

Yellow Worm in Dead Wood is a Wood Boring Beetle Larva

“What is this yellow worm that was found in dead mesquite wood when turning it on a lathe?” asks this reader about the wide-headed, worm-like creature pictured below. “It was about one inch long. There were probably 20 of these in a piece of wood, about one square foot big . The wood came from central Texas.” To start with, we want to thank our reader for the excellent photo she sent in, as well as the context; both of these factors together greatly contribute to making our job easier. With this information in hand, we can more efficiently identify the creatures we are asked about and answer the questions that our readers have!

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Posted in Carpet Beetle Larvae Dog Worms Grub Worms

Segmented, Brown Worm on Dog Toy is a Beetle Larva

“I found this grub/worm on a packaged stuffed dog toy I ordered online”, writes Sarah in her submission regarding the segmented, brown, worm-like creature pictured below. “It was stuck to the fabric on a white patch that looked a bit like egg sac remnants? There was only one that I could find. What is it?” Now, what caught us off guard about this creature at first were the six appendages sticking out from one end of the creature’s body. It took us a moment to realize that the critter was upside down, and that these were its prolegs! Once we gathered that, we figured it must be some type of beetle larva, as the body shape, segmentation, and presence of prolegs point to this conclusion.

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Posted in Garden Worms Grub Worms Worms Generally

Plump White Worm in Compost Pile is a Rose Chafer Grub

“I found several of these in my Tucson, AZ compost pile and in my raised bed garden”, writes Dave about the white, worm-like creature pictured below. “Stretched out, it’s a plump two-inches long. It has translucent, grey-white skin (curiously dirt doesn’t stick to the skin) and a dark inner mass at the tail end. It looks similar to the wood boring beetle larvae posted earlier. My question is, should I worry about this critter eating my plants or destroying their roots. Thanks for maintaining your site.” Well, firstly, we want to thank David for submitting to our site! It is because we get submissions like these that we are able to keep it running. Secondly, we want to thank him for the absolutely excellent photo he sent in.

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Posted in Garden Worms Grub Worms Pest Worms

Thin, White Worms in Planter Could be Gnat Larvae or Grubs

“I found thin, white-colored worms in my garden”, writes Bree in her submission. “They were about an inch long, hanging upside down from my planter boxes and wiggling around. They did not appear to be hanging by any thread and it had rained a lot today if that helps.” Now, we have to say that we cannot actually see the worms Bree is talking about in the photos. We do not know if she means the thin, white, long objects littered across the soil in the photo, though those look like twigs, but since they were meant to only be an inch long, we assume she doesn’t mean these.

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Posted in Grub Worms Worms Facts Worms Generally

Six-legged Worms in Basement Could be Scarlet Malachite Beetle Larvae

“I live in Brooklyn, NY and I just finished renovating my basement”, starts Yitzchok in his submission regarding the pink, worm-like creature with legs pictured below. “I put in new ceramic flooring and freshly painted, etc. But now, only a week after post construction, I keep on finding these small yellowish worms crawling on my new floors. There is no food being stored in my basement. The only thing I have other than the toilet and bedrooms is a boiler room with some extra paint stored in it. Please if you can help me find out where it’s coming from and how to get rid of it. Thanks.”

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Posted in Grub Worms Pest Worms Worms Found in the House

Damages to House Could be Caused by Wood-boring Insects

“What is this that is doing this to my house?” is all Alicia writes in her submission regarding what we presume to be a wooden door frame, pictured below. Now, we have to start by saying that we are not quite sure what we are looking at, which makes it hard to know what to look for. Typically, when people send pictures of wooden structures, they are concerned about wood-eating/-boring insects, like wood-boring beetles or termites. But Alicia also includes two other photos, one of which is also pictured below, which show other types of matter that bear no resemblance to the first photo.

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Posted in Cat Worms Grub Worms Worms Facts

Pink Worm in Cat Bowl is Likely a Soft-winged Flower Beetle Larva

“Can you help me identify this worm or larvae?” asks Amanda in her submission regarding the little, pink, worm-like organism pictured below. “It was in my cat’s food bowl. It was the only worm we found.” Now, given the worm’s physical features, we would instinctively identify this as a beetle larva. The pronged rear, elongated body, and bulbous head point to this conclusion, though the lack of prolegs has us thinking it could be a different species of insect larva. That said, the location of its discovery has us weary about saying anything too certain. When worms are found in or near pet food, readers are often concerned about parasites. Amanda does not say anything of that nature, but given the chance that the creature did come from the cat, we have to exercise caution.

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Posted in Carpet Beetle Larvae Grub Worms Worms Found in the House

Brown and White-speckled Bug with Six Forelegs and a Pronged Rear is a Beetle Larva

“What type of worm or bug is this?” asks this reader in her query concerning the brown and white, speckled bug in the photograph below. Our reader found it on top of her bed cover, and we will do our best to identify this critter for our reader.

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Posted in Composting Worms Garden Worms Grub Worms

Waxy, White Larva Found in the Bottom of a Vermicompost Bin is a Wireworm

“What is this?” asks this reader about the white, segmented creature she found in the very bottom of her Vermicompost bin. She thinks it may be some kind of beetle larva, but nonetheless wants our help identifying it.

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Posted in Garden Worms Grub Worms Interesting Bugs

Glossy, Black, Segmented Worm-like Creature with Pincers is a Beetle Larva

“I saw this worm in the den on the carpet at my parents house” says this reader about the black, segmented worm-like creature pictured below. Our reader, who is based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, asks if we can tell him what it is.

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Posted in Garden Worms Grub Worms Interesting Bugs

Black Blister Beetle Found Stuck on Tape

“I found this bug that apparently got stuck on the tape and died as it is not moving,” says this reader in Buffalo, New York. “I think it might be a […] black blister beetle but I’m not certain so I was hoping that you could help.”