[Tigerhair]

I think I found vine weevil larvae on my new allotment plot.... are they as bad as everyone says?

[black diamond]

I had problem with them a few years ago in pots ,I think when you spot larvae it is to late in pots not sure about on the plot.I picked the ones in the photo out of two pots and had to throw the rest of plants away.

[tontom]

I got some last year that attacked my pea seedlings and decimated my crops but will try again this year 

[Yorkie]

They are often less of a problem in the open ground than in pots.  They attack the roots of plants so are a threat, yes.

You can get at the garden centre a nematode to water onto them - but I suspect it will need to wait until later in the season. 

Are you absolutely sure it's vine weevil?  Seems a little early in the season, though I could well be wrong on that.

[Ma and Pa Snip]

http://www.nemasysinfo.com/weevils.shtml

Picture from above site

[Tigerhair]

They certainly look exactly like that, what I can't understand is that they are in a huge field of grass and dandelions and not much else.... I guess they can live off that... If I see any more I'll take a picture.

[savbo]

were they just spread out in the soil or in one area?

[Tigerhair]

Spread out...

[savbo]

there are other beetle larvae they could be, that are more likely to have survived the winter we've just had... not to say they're not VW, just it's a possibility. Reckon the robins will help out as you dig!

[Elaine G]

I emptied my strawberry planter and 'rescued' over 50 vine weevil grubs.
I put them into an empty seed tray and our friendly robin ate every single one 
Not sure how he got off the ground towards the end.
The birds will love you!

Elaine

[pigeonpie]

If you know anyone with chickens they would love them too (the chickens, not the owners!)
They may be crane fly larvae but very difficult to see from a picture without being able to judge size but they do look rather like vine weavel larvae.

[Tigerhair]

The biggest ones I've found are about an inch long.  Hmmmmmm. 

[savbo]

The biggest ones I've found are about an inch long.  Hmmmmmm. 

that's big for Vine Weevil, which would be about 1/4". I think these are other beetle larvae.