Teeny weeny little itty bitty white bugs?

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

This article might help you identify the damage:

Thrips Management Guidelines--UC IPM

It offers a bit of help with the control too, but it doesn't really look like there's much they're offering.

I actually just took a picture. I have attached it here. If this helps you guys. You can see the nibbles in the middle and the edges of the leaves are sort of yellowing in some places. =\

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Springtails don't do that kind of damage at all. Springtails usually feed on decaying plant matter, detritus, and fungus.

It could be thrips. Especially if you're confused as to whether they're thrips or springtails. Like I said, the easiest way to tell the difference between the two is that springtails don't have wings and thrips do.

Springtails are not insects. That's why they don't have wings.

Thrips are insects. That's why they have wings.

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Springtails don't do that kind of damage at all. Springtails usually feed on decaying plant matter, detritus, and fungus.

It could be thrips. Especially if you're confused as to whether they're thrips or springtails. Like I said, the easiest way to tell the difference between the two is that springtails don't have wings and thrips do.

Springtails are not insects. That's why they don't have wings.

Thrips are insects. That's why they have wings.

I only saw two of them and neither of them flew, though. =\ And they're so itty bitty I can't tell. The article you linked said that it's very hard to eradicate them and that basically it looks ugly but doesn't really hurt the plant? I worry that 2ndary infection could be a thing, though. Grrr.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Thrips have tiny wings that are very useless in flying over long distances. Those wings are almost vestigial.

Btw, springtails are in Class Collembolla.

Thrips are in Class Insecta.

Arthropods classified within Class Insecta are true insects.

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Thrips have tiny wings that are very useless in flying over long distances. Those wings are almost vestigial.

Well now I am le bummed. Especially since I was considering moving my remaining plants to a different window that has a house ivy and an African Violet in it. And a tiny baby phal that is going INSANE with growth in that window. The rest of my plants are sort of sluggish and not doing well so I thought maybe it was the window's fault. But I don't want to infest other plants. *grumble*

[Leafmite]

Here is a link for springtails...they actually have white ones! I didn't realize that.

Springtails : Insects : University of Minnesota Extension

They wouldn't damage your plants, though. Nor would the fungus gnats. Repotting is likely a good idea. I have to repot most of my plants into a fast-draining mix when I get them because I know the high light greenhouse (from where they come) is kept warm and my winter conditions are gloomy and cool. If you run the air condition, a pebble tray set on a seedling mat might help the plants revive. Heat + humidity + good airflow makes most plants really happy.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Fungus gnats are a bit complicated...

Adult fungus gnats would prefer to eat fungus, but they are not above eating roots of plants. Fungus gnat larvae also eat fungus and plant roots.

They generally don't do damage to orchids with big roots such as Phals and Cattleyas, but with smaller rooted orchids such as Pleurothallis or Restrepia, they can do considerable amounts of damage.


I knew there were white springtails because I've seen them before. They make great "Thumbnail" Dart Frog food!

[butterfly_muse]

Sorry for such a long time between posts - had some errands to run. Why does the DMV gouge you? *sigh*

Anyway, so what would you recommend? I have some neem oil in a spray bottle, but that is all of the insecticide type deal I've got. I'm working on repotting my guys, as they're drying out too fast so I want to mix in a little bit of moss to help them out...

Is repotting the best way? Or should I repot + use neem oil? Or? If it is thrips, that is...or even not, I suppose. Will thrips jump from plant to plant?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

They can glide from one plant to the next on a slight breeze.

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

They can glide from one plant to the next on a slight breeze.

Does a ceiling fan in the dining room with orchids in the bedroom count as a slight breeze? Lol. I wonder if they could hitch hike on my cats...O_O