You notice a brown, dying patch in your lawn. Curious, you dig a little…
and suddenly you uncover something strange.
A thick, grey, wrinkled, legless creature.
It looks like a small sausage… or even a root that somehow came to life.
Your first reaction?
👉 What on earth is this?
Don’t worry—you’re not alone. This odd-looking creature is actually something very real and more common than you think.
What Is This Weird Thing?
What you’re looking at is most likely a leatherjacket—the larval stage of the crane fly.
Despite its unpleasant appearance, it’s not dangerous to humans. But it can be bad news for your lawn.
From Flying Insect to Underground Pest
The adult version of this creature is the harmless-looking crane fly—often mistaken for a giant mosquito.
But while the adult insect doesn’t cause problems, its larvae (the “leatherjackets”) live underground and feed on:
- Grass roots
- Plant stems
- Organic matter
👉 And that’s exactly why you found it beneath a dead patch of grass.
Why Is It Killing Your Lawn?
Leatherjackets feed just below the surface, silently damaging your lawn over time.
Here’s what happens:
- They chew on grass roots
- The grass loses its ability to absorb water
- Patches start turning brown and weak
- Eventually, the grass dies
👉 By the time you notice the damage, they’ve already been there for weeks.
Signs You Might Have an Infestation
Besides finding one of these larvae, look for:
- Irregular brown patches in your lawn
- Grass that lifts easily like a loose carpet
- Increased bird activity (birds love eating them!)
- More damage during wet seasons
Why They Look So “Disgusting”
Let’s be honest—this creature isn’t pretty.
Its appearance is actually designed for survival:
- Thick, leathery skin protects it underground
- No visible legs because it doesn’t need to travel far
- Grey-brown color helps it blend into soil
👉 It may look like something unnatural… but it’s perfectly adapted to its environment.
How to Get Rid of Them
TO CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE PLEASE SEE PAGE 2
