Please help to identify this maggots like pest
 

Hi all, I am living in Sydney Australia. My crucifix are eaten by the attached pests. They seems to eat the crucifix only and not other orchids. Their bodies are very soft and jelly like. I think the body maybe translucent as their colour change depend on what colour of flowers they eat. It is orange with the orange crucifix and purple with the purple flowers. The biggest I've seen is around 10mm. I use google to search but the closest answer is maggot which I doubt. They seems to emerge when the sun comes back after raining a few days. Just wonder what they are and how to get rid of them.

Many thanks
Francis

They do look to be some type of grub/larva. If the plants are in pots, soaking them in slightly soapy water for a few hours will probably drown them.

Most insecticides won’t kill eggs or larvae; Azadirachtin is an exception.

A treatment containing Bacillus thuringiensis is safe and effective, as the bacteria will infect the larvae.

It might be an Australian orchid predator. I hope some Australians members can help.

I would use BT spores.

I did a Google photo search and came up with the pupa of the cockroach.
This would make sense if you grow outdoors, as they like dark places that dont dry out for too long and the base of pots is a great environment for them.

What orchid is referred to as crucifix?

Epidendrum

---------- Post added at 07:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:42 PM ----------

Thanks to all. I think I've found the answer. It is the larvae of the Australian orchid beetle.

Looks like that's it!
Orchid beetles down under: <i>Dendrobium</i> beetle, <i>Stethopachys formosa<i> — Bug of the Week

Glad you have found out what is is, now you can plan your attack.