Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was misting a empty tank that i setup about a month ago for some future frogs and i noticed something unusual. On the brom that i have in there that is budding right now, i noticed that there was tiny little white bugs all over the flower part of the old brom. They are about 1/4 the size of melo fruit flies and they seem to consist mostly of wings. They are extremely thin and all i can really see is their wings and legs. At least i think it is thin wings in an oval shape. Althought i havent seen them fly but maybe it was because it was right after i poured some water right on the flowering part of it to flush out some of the old water in the brom. As i was pouring the water i noticed about close to a hundreds of these guys scattering out of it looking for cover. I doubt they are springtails because ive seen pictures of them and they look nothing like it, but then again i can be wrong.

Well 2 minutes have passed and i cant seem to find anymore of them, they are probably hiding inside the flower part again. Anyone have any ideas as to what these are? I have had this tank setup for almost a month now and this is the first time i noticed them. Thanx in advance.

They are just little bugs that come in as eggs in the soil or on plants. Usually happens when you buy poor quality soil and/or don't sterilize it. You should also thoroughly rinse plants before putting them in. I suggest you soak the plants in a soap solution and rinse (unless they are fragile and will die), and bake the substrate at 350-400 for 15 minutes.

-Brock

They may be "white flies," which are a common house plant pest. The nymph stage will hide in the foliage and the adults will scatter and fly all over when disturbed, so they are pretty hard to get rid of on house plants. In the terrarium however, they can serve as another food source for your frogs until they all get eaten up. Your frogs may just be your best means of pest control in this instance.
-----
Patty
Lost River, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
3 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
4 D. leukomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos

Now if only i can find some aboreal frogs like thumbnails to put in there. Been looking for a few months now.

Try Patrick Nabors at Saurian. He has imitators and pumilios, but you need to get on the waiting list for either. He may have vents, too. Leukomelas, although they aren't tumbnails, will also do some climbing to hunt.
-----
Patty
Lost River, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
3 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
4 D. leukomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos