strange maggot on dock roots

Campbell McKee

Whenever I dig up a dock on my allotment, there is often a white maggot with a brown head on, or near, the root. Not knowing what they are, and going by the rule 'if it moves slow it eats plants' I always kill it.

Anyone any idea what it may be, and if it is friend or foe?

pansyface

It depends on how big it is as to what it might be but, given that it's on a root, it's probably a fair bet that it's eating it. But docks? Do you care? I'd let them get on with it.

Ceres

Cold be the larva of the vine weevil in which case you are right to kill it.

pansyface

Could be cockchafer, or stagbeetle, which would be a shame.