Who would know what ...

[silken]

I'll bump this up. I don't know about lots of different pests but it could be one of the forms of scale. Are these on your leaves as well, or only on the roots? If so, a picture of the leaves would be helpful. Maybe someone else will see this and help.

[Bud]

Silken is right, it is scale infestation. You probably inherited it with the plant and the bugs just multiplied. Use an old toothbrush and dish soap(ten drops soap to two cups of water + a cup of ordinary alcohol) to scrub them all out. For the ones that still cling to the leaves just scrape it gently with a plastic knife.
Then spray the whole plant with soap and alcohol until you don't see them anymore.
Weekly soak the pot in soap and alcohol for 10 minutes to get rid of the eggs.

[Black Barron]

Originally Posted by silken

I'll bump this up. I don't know about lots of different pests but it could be one of the forms of scale. Are these on your leaves as well, or only on the roots? If so, a picture of the leaves would be helpful. Maybe someone else will see this and help.

silken, they are on roots only and seem to like humidity.

[Black Barron]

My own guess until now was, it could be some sort of mite.
But this is not confirmed.
See enlarged picture for a closer look.
Sorry, I can not do better pictures with my cam.

[silken]

They are likely not scale then. I haven't seen things like this. You could still try Bud's remedy or flush the pot with a pesticide. What is it planted in? Is the media old and holding lots of moisture. What kind of orchid? I will see if I can find some pests on Google. Maybe someone else will chime in today who has seen this type of insect. Was it outdoors or inside? Is it only on the one plant? Can you give us some details of growing conditions and that might help figure out what type of insect.

Orchid Pests, Orchid Diseases
Here is a very useful website that might help.

---------- Post added at 12:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:56 AM ----------

I found these links on that first link I posted earlier for the St. Augustine Orchid Society. These are Oribatid Mites. They are found in bark based soil and look pretty similar. Check it out. Maybe they haven't moved up to your leaves yet. This was the most similar pest I could find. Can't see if yours have legs or not.

Hark-Orchideen - Competence in Orchids

Hark-Orchideen - Competence in Orchids

[Black Barron]

silken,
thanks a lot!
The term Oribatid Mites seems to be helpful and leading to further information. You know I was searching the web but did not get results. Oribatid is a new thread.
Thanks.

[Black Barron]

silken,
I seem to be on a good way. Found 2 experts, professors they are, who are interested and willing to take care of my problem.
So what I did, I caught samples of the pest with Tesa film and mailed them.
Now I am quite excited & wait for answers.

Thanks & bye
BB

[silken]

Good to know you are getting somewhere with the problem. Let us know the result. Always good to learn something new!

[BettyE]

I use 60% water, 20 % alcohol, and 20 % regular 409. I put this in a spray bottle, and spray all leaves.I spray once a week if the orchid has scale...every week, once a week for three weeks. If it is mold or mildew, I dip the plants roots in nine parts water, to one part bleach. Won't hurt the orchid...let it dry on the plant The 409 spray was given to me by a grower in Hawaii...BettyE.