Anyone know what this critter is?

[ForestGal]

My friend found 2 of these ugly creatures in her office at the Methodist Camp this week.  One got swept up in the vacuum cleaner, the other one survived long enough to get photographed.  Anyone have any idea what it could be?  She said it was larger than her thumb, wriggly, and totally gross!   



Thanks for any info. 

[Chesslike]

Hard to tell from that photo, but could possibly be a June Beetle Grub or maybe a termite queen.

[Nolena]

Looks like about 2 of them would make a sandwich.

[konaluvr]

Looks like about 2 of them would make a sandwich.

LMAO 

[MojaveSidecar]

Given the strange lights in the sky spotted recently...I'd say they're aliens here to take our leaders away... please. 

[Freebird]

Looks like a baby from the movie The Monster That Challenged the World:

[cedar]

My friend found 2 of these ugly creatures in her office at the Methodist Camp this week.  One got swept up in the vacuum cleaner, the other one survived long enough to get photographed.  Anyone have any idea what it could be?  She said it was larger than her thumb, wriggly, and totally gross!   
Thanks for any info.

That creature affectionally know as 'jaws' is a Pine Sawyer Beatle larva.  They live in decomposing, damp wood. Often found while splitting wood. 

[bootsmiles]

Thank you cedar, for solving that puzzle.

[ForestGal]

Thanks indeed, cedar!  And thanks to BostonBob for making a stab at the mystery, and to the rest of you for a few laughs.  I read about Pine Sawyer Beetles and they sound as if they are not our friends. So I'm glad the one got sucked up into the vacuum.  On the website I looked at, the adults don't look as large as the larvae do.  Ugh, I hate bugs!   

[cedar]

Thanks indeed, cedar!  And thanks to BostonBob for making a stab at the mystery, and to the rest of you for a few laughs.  I read about Pine Sawyer Beetles and they sound as if they are not our friends. So I'm glad the one got sucked up into the vacuum.  On the website I looked at, the adults don't look as large as the larvae do.  Ugh, I hate bugs!   

Your are very welcome.  I believe it takes a really long time (years perhaps) for the larva to turn into an adult.  I've only seen one adult flying around Wrightwood. I would put it in the really big bug category.  I was very excited to finally see the adult after seeing quite a number of the 'jaws' stage.  It was at the Village Grind!  I guess everyone goes there 

[snwbnny]

We have found quite a few of those while splitting wood. Nice to know what they are - even if I'd rather not think about em at all .

[konaluvr]

Well if any more are found while splitting wood, send 'em over to my place, I've got a whole stack that needs splitting.