White bugs on roots
 

Hey guys. I just noticed tiny white bugs on the roots of my cattalya and cymbidium. They are on the moss too. The pots have been recently watered and won’t be ready to water for several more days. Questions:

1.) what are the bugs? Are they fungus gnat larvae? Are they normal?

2.) is there a big problem with me leaving the bugs alone until the plant is ready to be watered again in several days, or should I treat immediately.

3.) I have water with mosquito dunk dissolved in it. Will this be effective or do I need some insecticidal soap or miticide or something?

I’ve also got big eggs of some kind in my Bulbophyllum ambrosia. Does insecticide kill bug eggs, or would mosquito dunks be better? This is so gross!

I don't see any bugs in your photos, but they're not in focus, either. Could you try again? Are you referring to the white particles scattered in the medium? That's perlite, a very lightweight heat-treated rock often added to potting mixes.
There aren't any bugs that lay big eggs. How big?

Sorry my camera is terrible. Here is another photo of the specks in the cymbidium. I could have sworn they were moving but maybe I imagined it. They are so tiny. I’m hopeful it’s not bugs because I truly truly dislike them.

This is eggs. In the last photo, on the Bulbophyllum. I popped several on accident and they made a popping sound UGH!!!!! If you could advise me on their treatment I would really appreciate it, and if we could avoid repotting that would be best. Both of these plants have been repotted recently and do not need a change in fresh media or pot yet: and I don’t want to touch those (?spider?) eggs anymore.

Thank you.

I can't see anything white other than perlite. Sorry. I would not repot.

MM ----- I can't see anything that looks like eggs as well.

If the photo was something like this ------ manipulated image ------ then that could be cause for alarm. But at the moment - can't see anything nasty in the original pics. This is where a zoom lens could possibly help a lot ----- to zoom right in on the trouble regions.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...1&d=1612947152

I am making a huge guess here but given the substrate is moist, there is a chance that those white bugs that you're talking about, are springtails. Google springtail and see if that resembles what you are seeing on your plants.

They are tiny, harmless bugs that feed on decaying organic matter and fungi. Harmless to healthy orchids, so no need to get rid of them. However, they do not lay any visible eggs... :hmm

I see perlite, no eggs, you can exhale... (But, since this is a public forum, please avoid using possibly offensive language.)

Thank you!!!! I have been very brave and removed some of the eggs from the Bulbophyllum so that they can be better seen, hopefully.

Sphagnum moss produces small spherical spore-bearing structures. When old they have the same color as the remainder of the moss.