Springtails *Adult Content, May contain Mating Rituals*
- Thread starter WillyCKH
- Start date
Muckydoo
Carnivorous Plant Addict
I was creating a new colony of Sminthurinus trinotatus when I saw this guy in there!
Not sure how I've never seem him before, but he must have went in when he was tiny.
I counted about 5 of them, so they might be breeding as well.
The only picture I can find that's close is sminthurinus elegans.
He's really small, about 1/2 the size of the Sminthurinus trinotatus
Not sure how I've never seem him before, but he must have went in when he was tiny.
I counted about 5 of them, so they might be breeding as well.
The only picture I can find that's close is sminthurinus elegans.
He's really small, about 1/2 the size of the Sminthurinus trinotatus
So, funny story. My typical white springtail colony got taken over by predator mites few months ago, and then now silver springtails are taking over! The silver ones seem to be moving faster and are smarter, so they are harder for the predator mites to catch.
Remember the silver-metallic purple ones that are capable to live with predatory mites? They are doing okay and some of them even migrated to the pot of Drosophyllum (which is great because they will prevent root rot!). These springtails are awesome, they are not as shy as the typical blind white ones, not afraid of lower humidity and sudden bright lighting (for photographs!). The reflective body color also makes them very interesting!
Might be a market for mighty mites.
Muckydoo
Carnivorous Plant Addict
I actually like the silvers ones in a terrarium setup or in house plants.
They don't "flip out" like the white ones if you water your plants.
In soil the bodies seem to decompose, unlike on charcoal.
One was walking along the rim of a pot of fittonia when I was watering, and I could push him with my finger, and he kept coming back!
Not timid at all!
They don't "flip out" like the white ones if you water your plants.
In soil the bodies seem to decompose, unlike on charcoal.
One was walking along the rim of a pot of fittonia when I was watering, and I could push him with my finger, and he kept coming back!
Not timid at all!
Is it the silver one? They are all over my grow area now, very helpful feeding my Pings.
Chen
Carnivorous Plant Addict
Yeah it was a silver one. It looked like the species I'm attempting to cultivate in plastic totes with wet charcoal media.Is it the silver one? They are all over my grow area now, very helpful feeding my Pings.
Chen
Carnivorous Plant Addict
The ones I have were isolated from my bin that I grow a species of sphagnum moss in. I noticed them in the peat layer and moved them to a different container. I wish I did not throw away those deli containers I had. I used to grab a few containers whenever I went grocery shopping. After the pandemic ramped up, the store took away the empty deli containers and lids from the salad section, now everything is prepackaged.
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Chen
Carnivorous Plant Addict
Was shining a light over my seedlings I received from Willy and noticed something moving in the moss. Thought it might have been mites since they were globose in shape. Upon closer inspection with my 10x jeweler's loupe, I saw some antennae. Picked up a piece of sphagnum moss with my tweezers then brushed it against the insect and it jumped. Thankfully it was just a colony of globose springtails though I may have accidentally killed one when I stuck it to some tape for a better photo.
I think I need stronger magnification. Do you guys have any recommendations?
Edit: Species identified as Sminthurinus trinotatus. I bought a 50-500X 8-LED USB Digital Microscope with Multi-USB OTG Connector sold through AmScope.
I think I need stronger magnification. Do you guys have any recommendations?
Edit: Species identified as Sminthurinus trinotatus. I bought a 50-500X 8-LED USB Digital Microscope with Multi-USB OTG Connector sold through AmScope.
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PipTarou
Plant
As far as I know (and someone can chime in if I'm incorrect), all springtails are good for your soil. However, if you find them in your house not around soil it can mean you have a humidity and mold problem. I don't think they can live long outside of soil without a steady supply on food.