Miscoscopic silver insect

11 years ago

Hi,

I need help for an identification. I found them in all my indoor plants but are only located on the soil, not leaves. There is a lot (hundreds) of them, but they are really really small. Approximately 1/10 to 1/4 of a millimeter. I used a 30x microscope attached to my camera to take the picture. I think they have 6 legs and a pair of antenna, although it is really hard to tell since they are so small. They are silver and shiny.

Featured Answer

Fori

11 years ago

Do they jump (if so check out Collembola--many shapes but most are bouncy)? Could you plop one on a slide in a dot of water and check it out closer?

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Comments (9)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
blurry pic .. though props for the microscope and all ...

compare at link

ken

link
MerlinMerlin
Original Author
11 years ago
yeah sorry for the blurry picture. I did the best i could with the microscope...

Although this is definitively not some silverfish.
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MerlinMerlin
Original Author
11 years ago
Yes they jump (I initially thought I blew them by my breath). You were right! They are springtails (Collembola).

After observing it under 120x microscope, i can easily see their furcula (tail-like folded beneath the body).

They seems to be harmless so I guess I won't try to eradicate them, maybe simply cut down a little on the watering.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
when anything grows in your soil .. other than your plant... its usually.. generally .. a sign of over watering.. or a failure of the media ...

probably time to repot ... i would schedule such.. for when i can make the mess outside ...

time to hit the houseplant forum.. for guidance on such.. presuming they are such ...

ken
Fori
11 years ago
Good! I gotta confess, I haven't seen the shiny silver model before but I guess you have to get really close to see it. :)
MerlinMerlin
Original Author
11 years ago
Last summer, I noticed them in my compost. They were probably introduced indoor by the plants I repotted with compost.
Atharaenea
11 years ago
Springtails eat algae and mold. So if you have them anywhere in your house, you can assume they're a symptom of a damp environment. I like them though... I think they're kinda cute!
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
when dealing with houseplants.. i sterilize all my MEDIA first

link

ken