[Outdoorsy]

Hi - I wondered please if anyone knew what this was eating my lettuce roots - the plant wilted and I found these Maggot type worms eating the roots- is there an organic way to get rid of them or guard against them please as I have other lettuce plants nearby, many thanks Michael

[mumofstig]

Bean seed fly maggots feed on the seeds and roots of beans - especially French and runner beans. They sometimes also feed on brassicas, gourds, lettuce, onions and sunflowers.

Suggestions for control here https://www.thompson-morgan.com/pests/bean-seed-fly
more info from the RHS https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=884

[JayG]

Look likes wireworm to me - was the area a lawn before being used for growing lettuces? (grass roots are their preferred food.)

No chemical controls available - some can be trapped using pieces of potato on barbecue skewers buried 2-6" deep, and repeated cultivation should expose them to bird predation.

[JoshP]

Definitely wire worm. As already mentioned, areas that were recently grass tend to have wire worm. No chemical control available so it’s just a case of digging over and waiting I’m afraid.