Stag beetle larvae in the compost heap (1 Viewer)

[paul47]

I turned over last year's compost heap today and found several stag beetle larvae at the bottom. I'm assuming that at this stage they still have at least another year to go before adulthood, and if that's the case I'm surprised they were in the earth at the bottom of the heap, rather than higher up where the food is.

What's the best time of year to turn over a compost heap to avoid disturbing these inhabitants?

 

[salticus]

I turned over last year's compost heap today and found several stag beetle larvae at the bottom. I'm assuming that at this stage they still have at least another year to go before adulthood, and if that's the case I'm surprised they were in the earth at the bottom of the heap, rather than higher up where the food is.

What's the best time of year to turn over a compost heap to avoid disturbing these inhabitants?

I think it's the larva of some sort of chafer. See -
http://maria.fremlin.de/stagbeetles/larva-guide/index.html

 

[paul47]

Thanks for that, I think you're right - stag beetle larvae don't have those hairs, for starters. What threw me off was that I've never seen a Rose Chafer in my garden, whereas I do get the occasional stag.

 

[paul47]

I found another - and although it seemed reluctant to perform it did eventually start pushing itself around on its back, as in the Rose Chafer video from the link you provided. A strange way to travel!

Thanks again.