Q: I’m confused about what pests I have and whether I need to worry about them. Can you tell me what these are, please? I found the darker one in my flower garden while looking for what was attacking my seedlings. The white one came from both my compost heap and the soil in my veggie garden.
Alison J, Castle Hill, NSW
A: The dark caterpillar, commonly known as a cutworm, is not actually a worm but the larva of a moth. These pests live at or just below soil level, often in mulch or leaf litter. They are notorious for attacking seedlings, leaving the telltale sign of bases cut or chewed at ground level.
The white grubs, known as curl grubs due to their appearance, are the larvae of the African black beetle. These grubs primarily attack grass, causing large brown patches, but they can also be found in compost heaps, chomping on organic matter. Curl grubs can pose a problem for potted plants as well, as they consume the roots. The shiny adult beetle is often spotted in bowling greens, golf courses, and the edges of home lawns.
The control for both is straight forward with repeat applications of eco-neem or Success Ultra.
Ask us
Ring the Helpline 7 days a week between 10am – 2pm (AEST) with your questions. Have your membership number handy. Dial 1300 133 100 and press 1 for our horticulturist. Or email your questions to help@gardenclinic.com *Not available on public holidays
We hope you have enjoyed this article so far.
One of the many benefits of Garden Clinic membership is full access to our website. Members please log in to view the complete articles.
If you are not a Garden Clinic member and wish to access our website as well as enjoy the many benefits of membership, including access to our Helpline 7 days a week, please visit the link below to join us.