By Meloncauli
United Kingdom 
Hi there,
I have these strange creatures on my lettuces and spinach. They are about a quarter inch long, begin as a white soft creature and seem to harden as they age into the brown creature you can see in the pic. They don't seem to be doing any damage but the pointy end is attached to the leaf. I can't find any info on them - can you help please? Janis
6 Jul, 2011
Answers
Baby slug?
6 Jul, 2011
Thanks, but definitely not a slug - it starts off white and soft and hardens to have a crispy outside like a shell which is brown as in the pic but when squashed is still white inside. I have never seen one actually move but the pointy end is definitely attached to the leaf. Could it be a large egg maybe?
6 Jul, 2011
I have exactly the same creatures on my magnolia with one end deeply embedded in the leaf Wonder if they could be a chrysallis of something ?
6 Jul, 2011
They don't look like chrysalis but beyond them not being slugs have no idea...
6 Jul, 2011
Leeches?
6 Jul, 2011
I think it's a hoverfly pupa.
See web page:
http://www.ispot.org.uk/node/68174?nav=latest_observations
6 Jul, 2011
baby snail
6 Jul, 2011
You could well be right Longleaf
7 Jul, 2011
If long leaf is correct you most likely dont want to squash them as hoverflies ( well the larvae ) are good at controlling aphids. maybe dont harvest the lettuce and spinach for a few days if that is possible.
7 Jul, 2011
Or pick the leaf the pupa is on, leave it in the garden and take the rest of the plant to the kitchen.
7 Jul, 2011
Yes! Longleaf is absolutely right, that's what it is! Thank you all so much I will look after them carefully - after all there's plenty of greenfly left for them to feed on!
Thanks again,
Meloncauli.
7 Jul, 2011
Looks like a slug to me...
6 Jul, 2011