Worms eating my lettuces

[nick16]

being able to spend more time in France this year, I decided to have an attempt to grow some veg. I bought some baby lettuces, planted them and watched over the next few days as they gradually caved in. My french neighbour said it was worms, and sure enough, when I dug one up, there were 3 or 4 worms, about an inch long and looking like oversized magots. Any suggestions gratefully received.

[Théière]

Nick, post a picture if you can, worms is worms and maggots are great at breakfast time [+o(] [:)]

[Tony F Dordogne]

Well, they don't sound like worms, they sound like some sort of larvae.  A pic would help greatly.

[andyh4]

Sounds like  c o c k chafer lavae.

 

On reflection, I think that should be a Rose Chafer (and much nice with the anti porn software on the site).

[JohnRoss]

Sounds like the grey maggoty things we have had in the past. I think they go in three year cycles. A few granules of Insectes du Sol in the hole before planting has solved our problem with them. See http://www.ciao.fr/Vilmorin_Insectes_du_Sol_en_Granules__1751455 . Bricomarché stock it as other brico places do I am sure..................JR

[nick16]

Thanks for your replies. I'm back in the UK for a couple of weeks, so don't have any photos.

I don't have access to the internet in France,so it takes a bit of time to resolve problems.

[hakunamatata]

What's a worm? I have only seen about four in my garden in almost 4 years!

[Jonzjob]

Our worms have been crossed with snakes me-thinks? Some get up to almost a couple of feet long, absolute monsters!