Concerned about possible pest

[schmiggle]

I noticed a huge number of these desperately trying to crawl out of the soil when I watered my sundew (D. filiformis):

I know the picture is bad, but it's the best I could get for now. The head is reddish brown, the body is grayish brown, and the entire insect is about 1/2" long. It seems to be some sort of larva, and I think it produces silk at least occasionally (did so when hanging off of my hand, unless that was just sundew glue). Any ideas? Also, should I post this in the insect forum instead?

 

[brolloks]

I have no idea what that is, but I would not take any chances. If you have not already, repot the plant and try to remove as much of the old substrate as possible without harming the roots.

 

[schmiggle]

I'm pretty sure they were harmless after all...somebody in the insect section on arachnoboards suggested they were lepidopteran larvae that had been trying to overwinter, and I haven't seen one in weeks. I suppose they all drowned or starved.

 

[The Snark]

Not lepidoptera. Some form of grub. My guess is elateridae, click beetle larvae. Both click beetles and that shape and color larvae were very common where I grew up.

 

[schmiggle]

I really hope it's not click beetle larvae, at least not the kind that eat roots...although again, I haven't seen any in a while. I think I sort of drowned them all--whenever I would water, some larvae would climb out, and I would grab them and throw them out after killing them. Which seems to have been quite effective...

 

[The Snark]

I really hope it's not click beetle larvae, at least not the kind that eat roots.

Most grubs eat roots.

 

[schmiggle]

Well, last night I found a moth sitting on top of the soil...which could, of course, quite easily be coincidence, but I haven't seen any in the room before. It was small and grey, which I know is totally unhelpful. I should have gotten a picture, but sadly have none, if I find one I'll post it.

The plant does seem to be doing ok, but if I find another similar moth, I will probably repot and use some pesticides for good measure.

 

[The Snark]

Well, your critter is definitely not Lepidoptera larvae. But a single or just a few grubs are of little concern. It takes a pretty severe infestation to harm a plants root system.

 

[schmiggle]

Oh right, you said that. That is a relief. I'm so not used to having bugs in soil, especially soil that has literally no nutrients. :/