White speckles on roots... Aphids?

[MateoinLosAngeles]

Hey all,

I noticed some white speckles on a Phalaenopsis roots potted in semi hydro. After a long and patient staring, I finally saw one of those speckles move.

My first thought was that they might be springtails, as most plants I buy usually come with them. But having springtails in semi hydro seemed odd to me. When trying to "bother" them to see if they'd "spring" they didn't.

The tiny size and white color makes me think these are either Aphid or Thrip larvae or nymphs? I've been inspecting my other plants and I could only see another Phal with them on the roots, this one also had a stray one on the leaves.

If they are Aphids would it be safe to spray 70% isopropyl alcohol on the roots? Or would that be too damaging?

[tmoney]

howdy mateo,

first, i would avoid alcohol at 70% for most occasions, including New Years parties. second, in all the years ive had or observed springtails there have been a total of a couple times i have seen them jump, and those are only one the bigger ones. there are several groups (genera?) of them, and my understanding and experience is that these tiny white ones have only crawled and they do not have the coiling jump mechanism/tail.

anyways, if you are concerned i would start with a mild soap spray and major flush. i never spray dry roots with soap spray tho, out of some fear they will absorb the soap, so i make sure that all roots are thoroughly hydrated before treatment.

edit to add, they do seem pretty small for st’s, and we have had these tiny white root mites that through research (and now some limited experience) don’t seem to be an issue of any sort. possibly they are those? but, the ones we’ve seen of those all moved fairly quick for a small bug, and it was the movement that attracts me to them, not the color.

anyways, back on point, i still always go to a quick soaping as a first assessment treatment. repeat a couple times if necessary. with that you should go into the new year with a calm, refreshed spring in your step! happy new year!

[Ray]

Those critters are consuming fungi growing on dying tissues.

[MateoinLosAngeles]

I took a look under the microscope and I think that pear shape is more suggestive of extremely young aphids or spider mites

The lack of dots and the slow movement of these, plus the fact that they are on roots and not leaves and there are no webs left behind makes me be more inclined to think aphids?

--- Edit ---

I did some due diligence and found something about "root mites" and "bulb mites," even though they aren't as frequent in orchids. Based on the microscope photos, however, my best guess is that this is actually a mite belonging to the genus Tyrophagus, and it's actually eating on the fungi developing on the decomposing organic matter as Ray suggested above. When removing the bamboo skewers I noticed they had big clumps of them around moist and darkened areas.

--- Edit 2 ---

I sent the pics to an acarologist in Michigan University and they confirmed it's a Tyrophagus. I did a wash with soapy water so really reduced the population but if they pop up again I will send some samples to this professor for identification. Tyrophagus usually eat fungi but some do attack plants so identifying it might shed some light on the matter.

[realoldbeachbum]

Mateo - Awesome microscope pics. What microscope did you use? I want one! My Dollar Tree magnifying glass is not doing the job. Thanks, ROBB

[MateoinLosAngeles]

Originally Posted by realoldbeachbum

What microscope did you use? I want one!

Hey Robb! Carson MicroBrite Plus, $15 on Amazon Amazon.com

I took the pic by holding my phone on top of the viewer while the critter was placed on a table, but they sell an clamp on Amazon to attach the microscope directly to your phone for about six bucks.