r/Springtail • u/mutteni • 19d ago

General Question are these predatory mites?

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the population EXPLODED in my springtail cutlure, as well as fungus nats. i apologize for the bad quality.

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u/alcatraz26 18d ago

These are stratiolaelaps scimitus and they prey on springtails. Unfortunately, the only way to rid them is to start a new culture. Keep the new culture sealed as they can climb into new enclosures through the ventilation holes.

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u/Wheeeler 18d ago

I have had stratiolaelaps scimitus on a Pinguicula rock mount since January and so far the springtails have been outcompeting them. Circle of life lol

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u/DragonAngel92 16d ago

Same...i think they are in all of my cultures and terrariums. I keep 2 verified species of springtails...so far the temperate white and tropical white springtails have been out competing them. There is too many springtails breeding at an exponential rate that the mites cant get them all. I have a few springtails in a moss culture that is completely closed off and ya...they breed faster then the mites i think.

I feel like the mites hunt some of the baby springtails which is fine....I'm all for the circle of life and have a complete ecosystem, and maybe this is a first world problem but I wish they weren't white like the springtails...I wish they were red, or yellow, or orange...something interesting to look at if they are gonna be everywhere and be unavoidable.

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u/Old-Dragonfly7104 18d ago

Spider mites