[Marcus10]

Hi,
A novice question but I found some transparent lavae/maggots  in pots with last years compost in. They had transparent outer coating with brown inside. Sort of curled but would be less than 1 inch long. Looked a little like transparent catapillars. Not like slug larvae which I googled. Any ideas on what thay were?

[Lisa62]

If they looked like these, they are stag beetle larvae.

[Marcus10]

Thank you. Yes they are the ones!

Now to find out whether they pose any threat!

[ConfusedGardener]

No threat at all, unless you value rotting wood 

I used to encourage them in my previous home's garden by slightly burying cut sections of tree trunks. They're quite a sight when they emerge, and start hovering 7 or 8 feet in the air!

[Mum2mj]

Aren't they protected these days? When i was a child they were a frequent sight but I've not seen one for years now

[ConfusedGardener]

Aren't they protected these days? When i was a child they were a frequent sight but I've not seen one for years now

I'm not sure, but it wouldn't surprise me. Marcus is lucky to have them as they are not too common anymore.