I think they are the larval stage of an inch-longish black June beetle. Robins love them, and crows redeem themselves by harvesting them agressively. They are hard on emerging beans and young plants of any kind, emerge in the evening to feed, and retreat by daylight. They can often be found by scraping around the corpses of their victims just underground. They dislike sand and wood ash and are easily controlled with common insecticides. Little bast'ds took out half my green beans this year. Here is a link that might be useful: June beetle larvae

Kimmsr, You are in no position to speak to me about the pursuit of knowledge. Those shoes don't fit you. I pointed you in the direction of the research, but you rejected it. (Of course there is much more research and many experts which agree with my position and none which support yours.) Yet you persist in the false belief that you are correct. To make matters worse, you share your false position with others without providing anything to support it when asked. So, who needs to pursue knowledge here? As to ants, they are welcome in my pile with the exception of Fire Ants. That is a personal decision I have made. The only reason that Fire Ants are not welcome is because they sting and cause very unpleasant physical responses. In some people, those reactions can actually be fatal. Ants contribute to the overall decomposition process, so why would they not be welcome? By the way, sarcasm is an excellent technique to use when making a point.

kimmsr, Disagree with you, simply based on experience. I used to have lots of grubs in my very moist compost before using BT. Rarely see a grub of any kind anymore, using the same methods/materials with the addition of BT. http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/biocontrol/pathogens/bacteria.html States: Primary hosts: caterpillars; some BEETLE and fly larvae. Also states: "Over 90 species of naturally occurring, insect-specific (entomopathogenic) bacteria have been isolated from insects, plants, and the soil, but only a few have been studied intensively". So I give credit to BT. I put some good soil in my new compost piles, which has had applications of all commercial BT strains, so I can't say which one (if any) are at work against grubs. Doesn't matter to me. So I give credit to BT, et al. - and don't have names for the other 86 or so insect-specific (entomopathogenic) bacteria spoken of, OR other such non-specific bacteria that may not have been identified yet. http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2500.html : 'Grubs' is a 'generic' term, used for larvae of a large group of beetles called SCARABS. The most important species are: Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman; May or June beetles, Phyllophaga spp.; northern and southern masked chafers, Cyclocephala spp.; and black turfgrass ataenius, Ataenius spretulus (Haldeman). Other, more localized, white grub pests are: European chafer, Rhizotrogus majalis (Razoumowsky); the Asiatic garden beetle, Maladera castanea (Arrow); and the green June beetle, Cotinis nitida (Linnaeus). Option 4: Biological Control - Milky Diseases - Several strains of the bacterium, Bacillus popilliae (bacterium is extracted from Japanese beetle grubs and is most active against this species), have been found that attack white grubs...Unfortunately, recent studies in Kentucky and Ohio indicate that the currently available products have NOT PERFORMED WELL IN OUR SOILS. (caps are mine). Goes on to say that parasitic nematodes are a up to 80% effective, but "...do not appear to be effective from one season to the next". So you can take exception with me if you want to - your opinion is just as valid as mine - but now let's hear from YOU about your EXPERIENCE with grubs... Robert

As far as I know, it's the grub of the Green Fruit Beetle that is most famous for making its home in compost piles. I've never seen any that appear to be so vivid BLUE, however. The adult Green Fruit Beetle feeds on ripe fruits. Not exclusively rotting fruit, but ripe. They might be found in huge hoards, though, feasting on fallen fruit in an orchard. I've found them in the garden on the ready-to-pick tomatoes, darn them. The grubs feed on organic matter, which is why they'll be found in the compost heap. They are not considered damaging to plants.