Tiny clear worm or larvae

[aliceinwl]

My guess would be something in the Family Mycetophilidae (Fungus Gnats) or Family Sciaridae (Dark-winged Fungus Gnats). These families include a lot more than just the tiny guys everyone gets in damp soil/media.

[SaraJean]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

I've had good results sending pictures to our state's ag Dept. They're very prompt. I'm betting it's something other than fungus gnats.

Great idea. Not sure how long they will take to get back to me but I will shoot them an email today.[COLOR="Silver"]

---------- Post added at 10:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:19 AM ----------

Originally Posted by SouthPark

I only just asked about the state of the media, as --- in some cases --- some media dry-out can keep some of these critters at bay. Maybe the mosquito dunks will keep these things under control!!

Originally Posted by aliceinwl

My guess would be something in the Family Mycetophilidae (Fungus Gnats) or Family Sciaridae (Dark-winged Fungus Gnats). These families include a lot more than just the tiny guys everyone gets in damp soil/media.

Thanks whatever they are, I just want them gone ASAP. I have had issues with pests in the past (snails, spider mites wiping out half of my Catasetum, caterpillars hatching in my shade house) but this is the first time I almost cried. I had been babying this one for so long and trying to revive it. I almost killed it two years ago, didn’t do anything last year, it was finally showing signs of life, and *poof* all gone... smh

[SpclK]

SaraJean, the worm closely resembles what attacks my rose bushes every year...







I researched what the ones in my pictures look like and found they're roseslug sawfly larvae. Roseslug sawfly larvae are usually clear but will take the color of whatever they eat. I'm still looking for yours, though; it could be fungus gnat larvae. Oh, and yes, fungus gnat larvae destroy roots; I'm not sure how far up roots and stem they like to go. They feasted on the roots of my Den. Tiny Twister which I almost lost if it hadn't been for me seeing them on my roots, researching what they looked like, and do an emergency repot including thoroughly spraying with hydrogen peroxide 3% and my homemade insecticidal soap.

Some helpful websites:
roseslug This website is basically an encyclopedia of pests and diseases.
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=clear+worm...ages&ia=images
Fungus Gnats: How to Kill Them Forever (2018 Update)
https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffnt&q=fun...ages&ia=images

I hope this helps!

[SouthPark]

Spc ..... wow! Nasty. I wonder if imidacloprid can sort out these things.

[SaraJean]

Ok, so a little update on this one...
So I took the suggestion of emailing the ag department and they did suggest that, while the pictures were not very clear, it could possibly be a cutworm larvae in it’s early stage (I think that was how they worded it), especially since I mentioned how they had burrowed into the new growths of the plant.

I unpotted it, cleaned it up the best I could, used the mosquito dunks once a week for a month, repoptted it in sphagnum moss, tossed it in a terrarium and said a quick prayer to the orchid gods. It has put out 9 growths since then and is looking awesome. I can’t tell you how many times I almost lost this thing over the last few years but it’s finally pest free and now I’m just waiting on some buds. Im thrilled this thing is stubborn enough to survive

[Fuerte Rav]

Good rescue, so pleased for you.

If they were cutworms you're well rid of them, they are disgusting and very destructive. I had trouble with them in my garden earlier this year!

[SaraJean]

Well that’s the stuff of nightmares...
Glad I caught them before they got to that stage, I had found a few one a couple of other orchids shortly after this den and treated in the same way. Those are some nasty critters

[estación seca]

What's your temperature range on the Den. laevifolium? Lowest humidity?

[SaraJean]

Originally Posted by estación seca

What's your temperature range on the Den. laevifolium? Lowest humidity?

Right now? About 85%. It’s currently living in the terrarium since I really wanted to encourage some new growths and roots. Seems to have done the trick. I was previously growing it outdoors and moving it to a bright window during the hottest part of summer where the lowest it would see was around 45%, average about 55%. I’m debating on leaving it in the tank for a while since it’s looking so healthy, but I really want to move it under lights soon.

Edit: And temp range has been 90° high (usually in the mid to low 80’s) and 65° low in the winter