Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Beetles (Coleoptera) » Polyphaga » Scarabaeoidea » Scarab Beetles (Scarabaeidae) » Unidentified Larvae
Photo#401239
Tree grub or larvae?
Copyright © 2010 Laurel Raducha

Tree grub or larvae?
Hartford County, Connecticut, USA
May 27, 2010
Size: 1.75-2 inches long
A maple tree in our back yard fell last night during a lightning storm. There was quite a bit of rot in the tree trunk, and this large grub-like larvae had fallen out of the tree trunk. Next to it was this capsul created from saw dust. What type of insect is this? It's startlingly large!
Contributed by Laurel Raducha on 27 May, 2010 - 9:19am
Last updated 19 June, 2010 - 7:44pm

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… Brad Barnd, 19 June, 2010 - 7:44pm

Not Cotinis
Cotinis ("green june bug")larvae develop in the soil. This is one of the scarabs that develops in dead, rotting wood.
… Brad Barnd, 19 June, 2010 - 7:43pm

Scarabaeoidea: Scarabaeidae
Definitely a Scarab Beetle grub (Scarabaeoidea: Scarabaeidae)

f.y.i. - The color of the grub indicates that it is dead (they change to a dark slate gray, brown or black when dead. White to yellowish white when alive)

--------------------------

We really need a closer look to make and accurate id. (if that's even possible).

BEST GUESS - possibly a Green June Beetle ???
1) grub proportions (grubs are often much larger than the adult!)
2) size of grub and pupa chamber
3) some experience rearing a number of native eastern Scarab species incl. Cotinis spp.
… Bill Reynolds, 27 May, 2010 - 12:06pm

 
Great, thanks! I can't get an
Great, thanks! I can't get another shot with more detail since it's gone now (An animal probably had a large meal!)
Sorry about the duplicate, thanks!
… Laurel Raducha, 27 May, 2010 - 6:56pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2024 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology at Iowa State University logo