BUGS IN MY PHAL

[Amanda L]

I was finally able to get some pictures of those little buggies. They aren't the best, but hopefully they will help in identifying the problem.

[Pk93]

I don't know what they are but they were on my zygopetalum "when it was alive" not sure if they caused the rot though.

[Judi]

They look a lot like springtails to me. I had them a while back, but I must say the ones I had were jumping all over the place! I read springtails are a large family, so maybe you have a type that doesn't jump I didn't associate any damage with them, but I got rid of them by putting all my pots under running tap water for a few minutes--this took a while but it was worth it. I have unchlorinated well water so I can do this. I read that springtails can be flushed from the medium this way--and it seemed to work for me. Even though they are probably not harmful, I didn't like having them around

[RosieC]

They look a lot like springtails to me as well.

Acording the link I gave above, it appears not all of them jump.

These insects are springtails, so-named because many species (not Onychiurus spp.) have a forked structure folded under their abdomen; when flicked out it propels the insect into the air and helps the creature escape predators or adverse conditions

The fact that this says many species implies that not all of them do.

[Pilot]

I just found some on my species Schilleriana-- very glad to read they are harmless. And if nothing else, they'll eat some of the bad stuff in the pot!!! Mine look exactly like the ones pictured-- they move really fast, too!

[Amanda L]

I was extremely glad to find out that they are harmless. I was so paranoid that I was about to fight an epic battle with some horrible little creatures! Now, I'm not concerned. Thanks for helping everyone!! I really appreciate it!!!!!