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Simple one. I removed my sunflowers from the pot today as they were showing a rust leaf problem and not doing great. They did flower and got pretty tall but then just went sick and I tried the nutrition etc. I am in the Sydney region Australia.

So when removing them from the pot I found some of the grubs in the pictures below, sorry a little out of focus but they are about 0.75cm long and getting a shot on a cell phone with macro mode is like finding a honest politician.

Smile for the camera....

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There were several of them in the pot. Now I know not all insects and other critters are nasty to my plants but should I ready the flame throwers or just ignore them?

From my research this afternoon they appear to be curl grubs according to this page

Since I am concerned that they have spread to other pots(Veggies, herbs etc) what type of pesticide could I use to rid myself of them while keeping the safe for consumption?

Namphibian
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1 Answers1

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These look to me like Cockchafer larvae. they eat a lot!

They thrive here in your pot because they found perfect breathing and rich humus for them. They are harmful to many veggies you can grow in your yard, and can even harm small plants and bushes, because they eat the roots sometimes.

You don't need pesticide to get rid of them, though. They are easy to collect by hand when you return the earth in the spring, because of their big size and usually limited number. Just put them on a plate (on a table, away from nasty little cats) for their natural enemies to see them and feast: the birds will be delighted.

J. Chomel
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