The discovery of small white spheres in excavated soil is common, leading many to wonder what organism is using the earth for incubation. The soil offers stable temperature and humidity, making it a protective nursery for the early life stages of many creatures. These white orbs may be eggs from insects or reptiles, or even certain fungi. Determining the source requires careful observation of size, grouping, and texture, as multiple species share this reproductive strategy.
The Most Common Insect Culprits
Beetles are a common group of insects whose eggs are frequently unearthed. Japanese beetle and June bug females burrow a few inches into the turf to lay their small, oval, creamy-white eggs. Japanese beetle eggs are tiny, around 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter, and are often laid singly, though a female may lay between 40 and 60 eggs over several weeks. June bug eggs are slightly larger, approximately 1.5 millimeters, and are deposited in a compact cluster of 10 to 30 eggs, often found near grass roots.
Grasshoppers deposit their eggs into the ground, but they employ a different strategy by encasing them in a hardened structure. The female creates a frothy substance that hardens into a protective “egg pod” in the upper few inches of soil. These pods are typically an inch or more long and contain multiple eggs, sometimes ranging from 15 to 150, which are white, yellow, or tan, and measure between 4 and 9 millimeters long. Cutworms, which are the larvae of certain moths, lay extremely small, spherical, white or pale yellow eggs in clusters on or near plant stems and leaves. These eggs are often overlooked, but they darken to brown just before they hatch.
Reptiles, Mollusks, and Other Possibilities
Other organisms beyond insects produce white, subterranean eggs. Certain small reptiles, such as lizards and non-venomous snakes like corn snakes and king snakes, lay eggs in soil, mulch, or compost piles. These reptile eggs are often resembling small jellybeans or being up to an inch or two long, and they are distinctively leathery and soft to the touch, unlike the brittle shell of a bird egg. They are frequently found in small, slightly sticky clutches of five to 20 or more, often nestled in warm, damp, and hidden locations.
Mollusks such as slugs and snails are also common culprits, laying masses of spherical, gelatinous eggs in damp, dark places like under pots or in compost. These eggs are white, off-white, or translucent, and are about 3 millimeters in diameter, deposited in clusters ranging from 20 to 100. Not all white spheres are eggs; certain fungi form white, fuzzy clusters of hyphae or small, egg-like structures known as sclerotia or “witch’s eggs.” Common soil additives, like perlite, are also frequently mistaken for eggs due to their small, white, spherical appearance.
Key Characteristics for Positive Identification
Identification relies on analyzing size, texture, and grouping pattern. The smallest white spheres, often less than 2 millimeters, are likely the eggs of beetles or cutworms; if they are found individually or in small, loose groupings, they point toward Japanese beetles. If the white spheres are about 3 millimeters in diameter and have a distinctly gelatinous or mushy texture when gently compressed, they are characteristic of slug or snail eggs.
Larger, elongated objects, resembling small, soft balloons or jellybeans, are indicative of reptile eggs. These eggs have a pliable, leathery texture that yields slightly to pressure. The grouping pattern is also a useful clue; grasshopper eggs are sealed within a dirt-like, protective pod, while reptile eggs are often loosely adhered together in a clutch. Fungal structures frequently exhibit a fuzzy or moldy appearance around the spheres, especially in moist conditions.
Next Steps: Managing or Protecting the Eggs
Once the eggs are identified, the necessary action shifts to either management or protection. If the eggs are confirmed to be from known garden pests, such as June bugs or Japanese beetles, removal is a common strategy. These eggs can be physically removed and disposed of, or treated with beneficial nematodes, which are microscopic roundworms that naturally parasitize and eliminate the larvae. This biological control method is most effective when the grubs are young and actively feeding near the soil surface.
If the eggs are identified as belonging to native, non-pest species, such as small snakes, lizards, or harmless fungi, a strategy of co-existence is appropriate. Snake and lizard eggs should be left undisturbed and gently re-covered with soil or mulch to allow them to incubate naturally, as these reptiles contribute to a balanced ecosystem by controlling insect and rodent populations. In cases where the eggs are mollusks, they can be crushed or exposed to the sun to dry out, which prevents hatching and reduces the future slug or snail population.