Asking for bug ID - Ask Extension
I found several of these in my planter box that I have reused the dirt of for the last couple years. They were also these white, almost mushroom looki...
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Asking for bug ID #870659
Asked May 29, 2024, 8:07 PM EDT
I found several of these in my planter box that I have reused the dirt of for the last couple years. They were also these white, almost mushroom looking things when we lifted up one of the boards on bottom. Can you please tell me what these things are?
Anchorage County Alaska
Expert Response
Hi Michelle,
The photo came through very blurry, for the larva picture, do you remember if the larva had visible legs?
And unfortunately I am not able to identify your mushrooms for you, but there are many species of fungi in AK, they help to break down organic matter, putting nutrients back into the soil. They are nature's recyclers and likely pose no harm to your planter boxes.
The photo came through very blurry, for the larva picture, do you remember if the larva had visible legs?
And unfortunately I am not able to identify your mushrooms for you, but there are many species of fungi in AK, they help to break down organic matter, putting nutrients back into the soil. They are nature's recyclers and likely pose no harm to your planter boxes.
I couldn’t send this video on your website, but I can send it through this email. I did not see any legs.
Michelle Monett-Black Sent from my iPhone
On May 30, 2024, at 8:09 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Thanks, Michelle, I got the video from our communications office. The insects appear to be fly larvae. I can't ID the species from your larvae but fly larvae also tend to be excellent decomposers. We do have some species of "bulb flies", however these larvae appear different from the known bulb flies. As for your tulips, if you dissect out one of the tulip bulbs that didn't emerge what do you see inside?
