What is this grub, please?

[Two_Sheds]

Sarcasm and back-tracking in the same reply. Most impressive.

Put your toys back in the pram, and let's get back to talking about gardening

[bazzaboy]

Sorry for delay, it wasn't very lottie weather (hasn't stopped raining since the hosepipe ban came into force, very clever that!) and then it was my birthday (don't ask but thanks for best wishes and commiserations) so I had to do birthday type things like blow out candles and make a will...

Now clever old Stuart, Chairman of Gardeners and Allotments on our site and a professional horticulturalist said "Oh they'll be chafer grubs" even without seeing the photo or a specimen, "they'll be hundreds in that patch...!" (Grrrr...Darn professionals....) Despite this the next one that turned up was duly photographed complete with its shapely legs (yes, they have legs, see photos below, not a very willing subject, kept wriggling....) and so the answer is now confirmed as CHAFER GRUBS!

My allotment neighbour is very grateful for all the comments and hopefully will join the site. Many thanks to all. x

[Nicos]

Get him to get some hens- they'll clear the area of them in no time!

[bazzaboy]

I'll pass that tip on, Nicos, thanks. We're not allowed overnight livestock on the allotments (about the only restriction, we're allowed everything else, the mind boggles, sheds, greenhouses, tunnels, trees and even bonfires but not permanent livestock coz of rats I'm told...) but they could presumably be penned there while he's working during the day and back home at night....:-) "Holiday for Hens!", could catch on.

Today's hosepipe ban on the allotment managed to prompt two hailstorms and several downpours... clever that.