This little Otiorhynchus larvae, a kind of white worm, is also called “weevil”. It sets up its nest in root crowns of flowers, ornamental plants and vegetables.
Even though it isn’t considered fatal or threatening for a plant’s life when only a few bugs appear, if ever numbers rise and stay for a long time it can become dangerous.
Small insects, like white maggots, tunnel around the roots to feed on rootlets and the root crown.
They slowly add on more and more thin tunnels, destroying the root system in the process and slowing the plant’s growth, weakening it.
There is no specific treatment tailored to target only these Otiorhynchus larvae.
Some recommend to spray treatments normally applied against vegetable flies.
A more elaborate solution that has proven its effectiveness is to harness nematodes to get rid of this insect. Coming by these nematodes is a bit difficult, though.
Use only for potted infections, because nematodes are parasites for a good many other insects in your garden, even useful ones.
How do I clean this up ?