Kill it or keep it?

[nickeverett]

Ok, so I don't really mean kill it. But whilst digging over the beds i've noticed a fair few of these insects. Does anyone know what they are?

[realfood]

It looks rather like a stag beetle larvae, and they are apparently protected by law. They are wood eaters so should not be a problem.

[DaveB]

It's not a Stag Beetle larvae, almost certainly the larvae of one of the Rove beetle family, which the Devils Coach Horse beetle belongs to, although it's not that. Most likely a garden friend anyway.