What's eating my fava roots?

Something nasty is eating my fava bean roots.

When I dig around a sick plant, I find clusters of these yellow/orange grubs about 12 mm long. Poor little plants don't stand a chance.

The grubs/bugs/larvae are a funny shape, like they are in the process of shedding their skin. But they always look this way - 'always' being since I first noticed them in late Jan. They restrict themselves to the smaller roots, stunting or killing the plant. Although, they do seem to pass some plants by as they make their way through the fava patch.

Never had grubs like this in my garden before and am shocked at how fast they are spreading/moving through the garden. So far their main target is fava beans, but I worry they might move on to tastier foods.

Please help me save my garden.

Also, once we figure out the grub, any thoughts on an organic solution?

Looks like wireworms. Beetle larva. Not sure how to keep them in check. They tore my newly planted corn last spring.

Sad to hear about your corn patch.

We do get wireworms here, but they are usually much thinner and about three times the length. Unlike wireworms, these little blighters squish easily.

I had wondered about some sort of beetle. None of my books have anything remotely like it. All of their beetle larvae have legs and/or round back ends.

Maybe next winter I'll skip the favas and just run ducks in that garden to eat up all the bugs.