Psocids? (Bark Lice or Book Lice) Or Other?

[kmccormic]

Hi Guys:

FINALLY got some good pics of the guys.

I'm hoping for a positive ID of these little guys as Psocids. (and not Thrips). I haven't found much in the way of identifying them as a "pest" species, so I don't know if having them in the medium is a problem or not??? Frustratingly, none of the sites give a size reference vs thrips so I'm not sure if thrips tend to be bigger or the same size as these. Most bug sites say Psocids live off of starch (plants?!) and mildew or mold, prefer higher humidity, and have a life cycle about 30 days, and tend to come out when the temperature approaches 80 degrees or higher. For reference, I see them when I water, they move around the medium or on the sides of the pot, although they will climb plants sometimes. They seem to multiply fast, and they are tiny - the size of a pencil point up to a ball point pen point. And they crawl fast, very fast-moving - getting a solid pic was a challenge. I'm starting to see them re-hatch on a prior group I'd treated, but these pics are from a set of plants I'd just picked up from a grower at a show. Not sure what I should use to treat them, or even if I should treat them at all.

Ray - you had said in a prior post they might be Psocids for me before - think you could take a gander?

[No-Pro-mwa]

Not sure what they are but I would either water or spray the top with neem oil.

[Ray]

I really can't say, KMac. I would eradicate them, just because I don't like insects in my pots, but I would not pour any oil over the root system.

[Manu]

Based on your description and pics.... looks and sounds like springtails, which are not dangerous and can be left untreated... but I'm not 100% sure and would like to see what others have to say??

[kmccormic]

I did end up doing a drench with Imidocloprid, (Bayer's for Roses) which seems to have knocked them back again. I'd rather be safe than have them cause my new plants to decline. So far all the new plants I bought at the local show are staying in quarantine.

Springtails didn't seem right to me because I never saw them jump.

[Manu]

Originally Posted by kmccormic

I did end up doing a drench with Imidocloprid, (Bayer's for Roses) which seems to have knocked them back again. I'd rather be safe than have them cause my new plants to decline. So far all the new plants I bought at the local show are staying in quarantine.

Springtails didn't seem right to me because I never saw them jump.

Hello Kara,

Springtails definitively do jump... especially when you water the plant you'll see them really active.. read up on them, they use their "tail" to propel themselves... I'm definitively no pest specialist and did not know what a springtail was before other members here helped me ID them in my plants...

Hopefully someone else can help you confirm or deny my ID!