I found a huge grub/maggot in a tree root. It's white and about 2 inches long anyone know what it is?

Question

I live in Central Brittany, and we've found several of these, alive, in tree roots we've been cutting up for burning. Do we squish them or are they gonna be rare butterflies? Or perhaps sauted with a few haricots?

Answer 1

There are any number of beetle larvae and caterpillars that bore into wood like that. That's what woodpeckers are usually searching for when they go drilling.

It's probably some type of beetle larvae, like a metallic wood-boring beetle (Buprestidae) or a long-horned beetle (Cerambycidae). Buprestids are often a beautiful metallic colour as adults and there are people who collect and preserve them. Some of both species can become serious pests, especially when they move into living trees. The Asian long-horned beetle is one of particular concern.

It could also be a caterpillar, like a carpenter worm. They grow up into massively huge grey moths.

Grubs like this are indeed eaten in many areas of the world. Some of them are even considered delicacies. Because they are mostly protected by the tree, few of them are toxic, or have other defensive systems - so they tend to be soft, moist, melt-in-your-mouth yummy. Or so I've heard.

Answer 2

Just to add to haysoos, who gave you a good answer- when I hear the grub (especially that size) was found in a tree root, I immediatley think of pine borers, which are becoming endemic pests in many parts of the world.

Answer 3

I don't know where you live but in Texas those critters metamorphose into June Bugs ( or June Beetles). They emerge and fly everywhere from late May to early August.

Answer 4

Definitely NOT butterflies -- they do the caterpillar / chrysalis route. Maybe cicadas. Other than that -- knock yourself out! Me, I prefer them with garlic, olive oil and shallots.