HELP! What are these?

by Sarah
(NJ, USA)


I noticed these yellow curled worms on the top layer of my plants soil last night. I sprayed the soil with neem oil and none of them moved which confirmed that they were dead. I’m checking the plant now and I see a couple new ones walking on the top layer. I’m not sure where they came from or what they even are... please help?

Comments for HELP! What are these?

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Dec 04, 2020
 Not sure
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

Your picture is not clear enough to see the worms, let alone an identification. I suspect they are some kind of juvenile beetle or fly that has hatched out in the soil.

Here is my suggestion; take the plant out of the pot and remove ALL the soil. Discard the soil. Use fresh pasteurized potting soil and repot the plant.

Observe closely for any issues.

The kind of soil you're using could have been infested with some kind of larvae, which may have hatched out into adult flies or beetles, which will now seek out more soil to lay their eggs in. I like to use some kind of pebble mulch to prevent this, and, of course, don't over saturate the soil with moisture.
Dec 04, 2020
 Response to Jacki
by: Sarah

Thank you! Sorry about the picture not being clear. I do remember that the first night I bought the plant, I saw a black long/ skinny beetle like bug and scooped it out. This was back in August, does that sound like it might’ve been from that one bug?
Dec 04, 2020
 Yes, could be
by: Jacki

Without seeing more, it's impossible to tell, but yes, it definitely could be the culprit. Watch for more, just in case you didn't get them all.

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