White grub (scarab beetle larva)

Soil, compost, leaf litter, lawns, and decaying wood; this specimen appears to be on exposed garden soil.

Larvae commonly eat plant roots, decaying organic matter, or both, depending on species. Adults often feed on foliage, flowers, fruit, or dung.

C-shaped, soft-bodied larvae live underground and pass through three larval stages before pupating in a soil cell. They are usually nocturnal or concealed during daylight and may surface after disturbance or heavy rain.

Some species damage lawns, crops, and garden roots; others recycle organic matter and serve as important food for birds, mammals, and predatory insects. Identification to species requires clearer views of the head, legs, and terminal abdomen.