white bugs?

[paphlovian]

What's That Bug? Springtails!

Interesting... they could be springtails. They are all white, and it looks like some springtails are entirely white. Though, others are not! Hmmm... (???)

Now, with the mealy bugs, would you happen to know how obvious the legs are to the human eye? With the bugs I have, their legs are so tiny to the human eye that it almost appears there are no legs. It's sometimes hard to identify a certain bug when you see a magnification of it online, when our eyes aren't seeing them that way on our plants.

Thanks again... I appreciate ALL the suggestions.

[Daemos]

The awnser remains simple
Is your plant trowing leafs or getting brown black spots. Is there leaf necrosis? Is the plant flowering or spiking? if the two first questions are a yes you may have root sucking bugs if no watch the plant carefully and if the plant remains in good shape and health you may safely state that the bugs are friendly.

[Lil_flame33]

I have these also, but my plants are all growing lots of new roots and still flowering. I'm really hoping it's just something in the media. I know this is an old thread but has it gone away? Has it hurt your plants? I saw a mealy bug at lowes on an orchid so I know what they look like and it's def not mealies. You have to look really really close to see them. I flushed the bark with very very hot water while I was potting my plants down. Should I flush the bark with soapy water next time I water?

[mmursuli]

I live in Florida also...They're springtails. Annoying, but harmless.

[Orchid126]

Springtails are almost invisible and inactive until you water the plant, then they jump around with complete abandon. Springtails usually appear when the medium is breaking down and the plant needs repotting.

[Lil_flame33]

It's all new potting media.

[mmursuli]

I have most of my orchids in hydroton, which doesn't break down, and they're in there too. Although, I see them a lot more in my dens, which are in bark...