Engerling is not the same as Engerling. Especially in terms of their usefulness or harmfulness. So if you spot specimens of such beetle larvae in your garden, it is good to be able to identify their species. Fortunately, you can not only use external appearance characteristics.

June bug grubs (pictured here) do a lot of damage

Which grub species you can expect in your garden

The larvae of scarab beetles are called grubs. This superfamily within the order of beetles includes a large variety of species and genera - currently the constantly expanding numbers are around 35000 species and 2500 genera worldwide. Of course, not all of them occur in Germany.

Species and (sub)families known to us are mainly:

  • dung beetle
  • cockchafer
  • June beetle
  • stag beetle
  • rose chafer
  • garden beetle
  • rhino beetle

Of these, May and June beetles, garden chafers, rose chafers and rhinoceros beetles are the main ones found in the garden.

Why is the distinction so important?

Being able to differentiate between the grub species makes sense both for clever garden management and for general nature conservation. Because the beetle larvae are harmful or useful for the garden, depending on the species. In addition, some - useful - species enjoy a special protection status on the part of the Federal Nature Conservation Act. These include rose beetles and rhinoceros beetles. Harming, capturing, or killing them in any of their evolving forms is subject to severe punishment.

Identifying features of the different species

With a practiced eye, grub species can be identified on the one hand by their appearance, on the other hand by their way of life and behavior.

Cockchafer grubs

They are among the most damaging grub species, preying on the roots of living plants such as grass or vegetables such as lettuce, kohlrabi and turnips. The larvae reach an average length of about 5-6 centimeters and are typically C-shaped. The abdomen is only slightly thickened and dark in contrast to the otherwise yellowish-light body. In front, behind the brown colored head, are 3 pairs of legs with typical kinks. Because they only feed on living plant matter, they are never found on compost heaps.

June bug grubs

June beetle grubs are difficult to distinguish from cockchafer grubs. However, due to their harmfulness, they must also be dealt with in the same way. At 5-7 centimetres, they can get slightly larger, but have practically the same coloration - they can best be distinguished from the May beetle grubs by their mode of locomotion: in contrast to the May beetle larvae, which crawl sideways and meandering, they move June beetle larvae on their stomachs.

Garden chafer grubs

The larvae of the garden beetle, which is also harmful, are very small: they only reach about one centimeter in length. The adult beetles are even smaller. Due to their small size, however, their harmful effect is also negligible.

Rose chafer grubs

The useful larvae of the rose chafer, which eat dead material, are medium-sized at around 3 centimeters in length. Their abdomen is not thickened, but even slightly tapered. The front pairs of legs are very short. Overall, they have a very thick fleshy body. The coloring is completely beige-yellowish. Their supine movement is characteristic and interesting.

Rhinoceros Beetle grubs

They are the largest of the grubs found in this country: they can grow up to an impressive 10 centimeters long. Another distinguishing feature, which can be neglected in view of the conspicuous size, is the missing row of spines on the abdomen.

Category:

Animals in the garden