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<pre>Sharn,
The cockshaffer sp are normally confined to the southern states of Tas,
Vic & SA & primarily feed on grasses. Hence the name 'lawn beetle' &
the usual brew was chlordane or deildrin until they were banned. Their
presence was felt in lawns that were unhealthy ie not well aerated,
drained & deep rooted but over watered & fertilised. Being from NSW the
grub you mention is possibly the Xmas beetle, again these grubs usually
feed on grass roots for 2 years before emerging as beetles & decimating
the native eucalypt trees. If they are in your potting mix then take it
back & get a refund but if you made it yourself you may have to
sterilise the soil maybe by solarisation ie wrap in black plastic in
sunshine & raise the heat and/or composting. These beetles are naturally
occurring & normally no problem particularly to exotics unless the
natural balance has been upset by some other event. I dont think that
the "if it moves shoot it" philosophy will be effective in the long run.

Roger Farquhar

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